Traffic Officer Sees Own Car Converted

Press, Volume C, Issue 29520, 23 May 1961, Page 3

Traffic Officer Sees Own Car Converted

(New Zealand Press Association)

HASTINGS, May 22.

A Transport Department officer’s car was stolen while he wrote out a “ticket” against a young motorist in Tomoana road, Hastings, at 8.30 p.m. on Saturday. The officer, accompanied by another patrolman, was standing only a few feet away from the car when it was stolen.

They heard the engine start, and watched the vehicle disappear down Tomoana road.

The Hastings police were immediately notified, and all Transport Department cars in Hawke’s Bay alerted, descriptions of the car were broadcast, and a widespread search made.

Police cars patrolled roads

north of Napier and south to Waipulurau.

Transport Department officers were hindered in their search in that the stolen car was radio equipped, and the converter would be able to listen in to their movements. The car was found at 9 a.m. yesterday, a mile away from where it was taken, parked behind a building in Eastbourne street. It was found by a civilian who notified the police. It was not damaged, and had been driven less than a mile. “This is a cheap lesson to us all not to leave keys in our cars,” said Inspector W. Ritchie, officer in charge of the Hastings police district.