Off-duty policemen make quick arrest

Press, 25 July 1986, Page 3

Off-duty policemen make quick arrest

Nelson reponer A dramatic chase by two off-duty constables resulted in the recovery of weapons, knives, and ammunition and the apprehension of three youths at Motueka on Wednesday night. One of the youths, aged 17, has since been charged in the District Court at Nelson. The other two were still being questioned yesterday by the police. A resident alerted the police about 11.30 p.m. when persons were seen entering the Motueka Sports Centre. Two offduty policemen, Constables Logan Alderson and Jeff Stilwell, arrived quickly and spoke with

three youths in a car at the intersection of Pah Street and Simpson Street. One was arrested. One of the other two youths was then alleged to have put up a fierce struggle with Constable Stilwell and ran off after slipping out of his shirt and jacket held by the constable.

The car was found to contain 20 assorted rifles, including three replica weapons and two slug pistols as well as four machetes, 33 hunting knives, and about 10,000 rounds of different calibre ammunition.

Other sporting equipment was also found in the car.

Two weeks ago the

same shop was entered and more than $6OOO worth of shotguns, rifles, replica weapons and a set of Samurai swords were taken. Investigations into this burglary are still continuing.

In the District Court in Nelson yesterday morning John Bernard Friesen, aged 17, an unemployed orchard worker, did not plead to three charges connected with a burglary.

He was charged with breaking and entering the Motueka Sports Centre, causing intentional damage to a roller door, and resisting arrest. Judge Borran refused him bail and he was remanded in custody to appear on July 29.