Burglary suspect shot by police near Duntroon

Press, 5 March 1982, Page 1

Burglary suspect shot by police near Duntroon

A burglary suspect was shot by a policeman near Duntroon, North Otago, early yesterday morning. Detective Chief Inspector E. T. Mitten of the Christchurch police said last evening that he was investigating the “accidental discharge of a police issue revolver." The man who was shot was taken to Oamaru Hospital. then transferred to

Dunedin Hospital. Mr Mitten said that the man was in a “stable,” condition after being shot in the upper part of the body. “There’s no suggestion he will die or .anything,” said Mr Mitten, who described the incident as “unfortunate.” He said that the carrying of the firearm was “quite in order.” He would not say which station the policeman who had the weapon belonged to.. About 10 police were involved in the pursuit of a Ford Capri car, which had been stolen from the Campbell Park School, Otekaieke. There were four people in the car. After an extensive search last evening, the other three — a man and two women — were tracked down with the help of police dogs oh the outskirts of Kurow at 10.30 p.m. They will appear in the District Court at Timaru today. There were aircraft and ground searches for the three yesterday.

The four were involved in a burglary at the Duntroon Post Office on Wednesday

morning, said Senior-Ser-geant R. G. Middlemiss of the Oamaru police.

Mr Mitten said that theman who was in hospital would be charged with unlawfully taking a car, and “possibly” with a charge relating to the burglary. The shooting occurred when the pursued car was abandoned between Duntroon and Kurow, and a struggle occurred, said Mr Mitten. The "amateurish" attempt to carry off the safe was disturbed about 4.20 a.m. on Wednesday, by Constable Buckman, the Duntroon policeman.