CONVERTER DRIVES CAR AT DETECTIVE

Press, Volume C, Issue 29555, 3 July 1961, Page 13

CONVERTER DRIVES CAR AT DETECTIVE

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, July 2. A Lower Hutt detective nanrowiy escaped serious injury i 'hen a car converter deliberately drove his vehicle into him wihile making his getaway in Lower Hutt on Friday nigtht. Detective A. G. Wroblemski was thrown back against bis own patrol car but received only a shaking up and a bruised leg. The fleeting car was chased through ALicetown back streets but heavy traffic prevented the offender being caught. The oar, which was badly damaged during the chase was later recovered in Beaumont avenue. Police were alerted when the late-model saloon car was converted from Wakefield street. Lower Hutt, between 6.15 and 6.50 pm. About 8.50 pm. Detective Wroblenski. on patrol with Constable T. Pareta, saw the vehicle parked just off the Hutt road midway between Lower Hutt and Petone. They stopped to investigate and as Detective Wroblenski approached the car the driver suddenly revved his engine and drove the vehicle straight at him. As the car struck the detective, throwing him against the patrol car, the driver accelerated and headed towards AMcetown, With siren sounding, the two palace officers gave chase but lost the car in heavy traffic. During the; high-speed chase the converted car hit

the kerb and the driver abandoned it in Beaumont avenue. It could not be driven as the force of the impact had smashed a front wheel and thrown a back wheel out of alignment. Police thenk the same man, possible in company with others, converted another vehicle last night. About 11 p.m. they found a light van abandoned in Wakefield street not far from where the other vehicle was taken. It had been converted from the Esplanade in Petone earlier in the evening. The manager of the factory from where the van was taken said he had seen the saloon car parked in the factory yard earlir in the evening.