Dairy owner kicks way out

Press, 1 December 1987, Page 4

Dairy owner kicks way out

PA Wellington A Wanganui dairy proprietor kicked his way to freedom after an armed robber locked him in the shop’s freezer-chiller and made off with his weekend takings on Sunday. Mr Colin Priddle had closed his shop for the day and was cashing up in a back room when a man, wearing a nylon stocking over his head, appeared at an internal doorway about 7.40 p.m. Sergeant, Fergie

Mackay, of the Wanganui police, said that the man demanded cash, and produced a knife. Mr Priddle gave him a canvas bag with the weekend’s cash and cheques. “A substantial sum of money was stolen but the police do not wish to release the exact amount,” - Mr Priddle said. The offender cut the telephone connections in the shop, pushed Mr Priddle into the shop’s walk-in freezer-chiller,

and secured the door. Mr Priddle ’kicked through an insulated wall and telephonedpolice from a neighbouring house. Although they set up area patrols it was about 20 minutes after the offence before Mr Priddle was to alert police. Inquiries are continuing. “I feel like anybody would shaken up. I’m not happy about it at all though Pm thankful at least my family wasn’t dragged into this,” Mr Priddle said.