THIEF CAUGHT

Hokitika Guardian, 19 January 1937, Page 2

THIEF CAUGHT

AFTER A CHASE. TIMARU, January 17. After a chase along Stafford street, up Church street and Sophia street into Banks street, Mr Colin Don, a Timaru business man succeeded in running to earth a man whom he had observed to run from his premises shortly before o a.mt on Saturday. Mr Don, who was in bis stocking soles, overtook his man about half a mile away from his shop and before capturing him, dazed him with a blow, after which he took himin his motor car to the police station. During the recent holiday period £55 10s in notes and silver was stolen from the cash. register in Mr Don’s premises, and more recently a further £6 in silver was taken. Jn the hope that the thief might return, Mr Don had been sleeping at the rear of the shop. About ! 2.50 a.m., hearing some person interfering with the front door lock, Mr Don left the premises by the rear door and went to the police station, in ! his car to return with a constable. As there was no sign of any unauthorised person about the premises, the constable left, but Mr Don, after leaving his car safely parked, returned to his shop, which he re-entered by the back door. Some time later, his attention was aroused by the sound of a noise upstairs and. going into his front shop he saw a man run out into the street. Then, began a stern chase. The intruder at first outdistanced hi s pursuer, but later was overtaken by Mr Don who used to be a cross-countiy runner. Overtaking the man, Mr Don struck him and took him to the police station. Melville Jack Hall Kirkness, ail engineer, aged 25, later appeared in the Magistrate’s Court, before Mr D. McLennan, J.P., charged with breaking and entering the premises of Colin Don on January 16, with iiitent to commit a crime. On application being made for hail, Detective E. Thomas said that the accused was married with two children and lived with his wife at Timaru. If bail were granted he asked that it be substantial. Bail was granted in the accused’s own recognisance of £SO, with one surety of £SO. The accused was remanded to appear on January 21, and was ordered to report daily to the police.