LONG PURSUIT OF CAR.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 4260, 4 November 1933, Page 3

LONG PURSUIT OF CAR.

VEHICLE BELIEVED STOLEN.

CONSTABLE MAKES ABLEST

The recovery of a motor-ear alleged to have been stolen from Auckland on Tuesday was effected on Thursday afternoon in circumstances which reflect credit on Constable F. Johnsen, of Mangaweka, who received valuable assistance from Messrs L. Smith, S. Dickinson, J. McDonald and A. McDonald, of Mangaweka. There was a long chase before the car was overtaken and an arrest was made.

Information regarding the theft of a two-seater car was received in Mangaweka on Tuesday and about noon on Thursday Mrs Johnsen, Avife of the constable, observed a similar ear passing through Mangaweka. Constable Johnsen at once communicated with the Hunterville police in order that the car might be prevented from passing through and in the meantime he secured the assistance of several MangaAveka residents, the party setting out in the constable’s car in pursuit on the road toAvard Ohingaiti. The party drove through to Hunteiwille, a distance of a. little under 20 miles, only to find that the other car had not arrived. It Avas at once surmised that the driver hart gone toAvard Kimbolton by a road Avhich turns off near Ohingaiti. Constable Johnsen sent the civilians back to folloAV this route while he and Constable Cosgrave, of Huriterville, set off in the latter's car toAvard Kimbolton, travelling by way of the Sandon block route.

At one point on this journey it Avas ascertained that the party had been only tAvo miles behind the Avanted car. The fugitive, hoAvever, had apparently turned off along a side road, for Constables Cosgrove and Johnsen met a traveller near the junction of ffanghvahia and Kimbolton Roads, and Avcre informed that no sign of the car had been seen. Constable Cosgrove drove on toward Rangiwahia, while Constable Johnsen proceeded in the traveller’s car toward Kimbolton. About four milos from Kimbolton they suav a car at the side of the road with a man standing beside it. Constable Johnsen at once arrested the man and handcuffed him. There Avas a passenger in the car, but the police investigations revealed the fact that this man had accepted a “lift” from Taihape and bad no connection with the alleged theft of the car from Auckland.