Burglars flee as alert citizens react

Press, 6 September 1989, Page 3

Burglars flee as alert citizens react

By

BARRY CLARKE

Two burglars were chased by a visiting Hokitika publican and another pair were confronted by a Leeston man during separate incidents in Ellesmere early yesterday. In the first, at 2.15 a.m., Mr Garry Keast, aged 36, saw two men leave in a Mini car after breaking into the Springston Sports Centre. He pursued them at high speed for 10km, before the Mini lost control and crashed into a road sign. Mr Keast got the registration number and left the scene. An hour and a half later a man, aged 50, heard glass breaking at the Leeston Pharmacy. He went to the store, barefooted and in his pyjamas, and came face to face with a burglar on his way out. He wrestled the burglar to the ground, but was struck on the head by another burglar wielding a sports bag. The man, who did not want to be named, said it was the second time in two years he had confronted people breaking into the pharmacy. “The last time, they had balaclavas

and one had a crow bar. I didn’t get too close,” he said.

“This time, I thought they had gone. Then one of them bolted through the door in front of me. I grabbed him by the shoulders and pushed his head to the ground. Then the other one came out and belted me over the head. “The next time I hear someone breaking in, I think I’ll take a camera and stand at a safe distance.” The police are following leads on the Springston Sports Centre burglary. A microwave oven, alcohol and cigarettes were stolen. Police do not believe the incident was linked to the pharmacy break-in. Constable Rex Hallinan praised Mr Keast for his actions, but said the Leeston man was not so wise. “He did well,” he said. “However, he could have placed himself in a dangerous situation. We would recommend that people don’t try to apprehend burglars.

“He could have been dealing with something more serious if the offenders had weapons.”