Car taken, chased

Press, 26 June 1989, Page 1

Car taken, chased

By BARRY CLARKE A motorist who stopped for petrol at a Christchurch service station was robbed of his car at knifepoint last evening. The man, aged in his early 20s, was filling up at Shell Linwood, in Linwood Avenue, when he was confronted by a man who demanded the late-model Subaru Justy. He handed over the keys and then called the police. A Ministry of Transport patrol spotted the car a short distance away. A police car joined the chase along Gloucester Street towards the central city. The stolen vehicle was travelling between 50 and 80 km/h.

The offender’s getaway came to an abrupt end at the intersection of Stanmore Road. He went through a red light, collided with another vehicle, and rolled. Both drivers were shaken, but unhurt. The Subaru was badly damaged. Inspector John Shuton said the man had wisely given up the car at the service station. “He took the sensible course of action. He rang us and we got on to the offender more or less straight away,” he said. A man, aged 26, was arrested and will appear in the District Court today on charges of robbery, dangerous driving, and driving with excess alcohol.