MOTOR CAR CHASE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20319, 30 January 1928, Page 14

MOTOR CAR CHASE.

PURSUIT BY THE POLICE. SEVENTY MILES AN HOUR. Through the development of a defect in their motor car in the early hours of the morning, when members of the police patrol were chasing another motor car, which, it was believed, had been stolen, they failed to make an arrest. A report was made to the police a week previously by I.lr W. G. Davies, a visitor from New South Wales, that his motor car had been stolen from the corner of Little Collins and William streets. At midnight the police in the patrol car observed a motor car at St. Kilda, which corresponded with the description of the stolen car. It was being driven on the wrong side of the road, and, on the appearance of the patrol car, was ‘driven aw-ay at a high speed. The police car went after it at nearly 70 m.p.h., ana that pace was continued by both cars for some time. The fugitive car repeatedly swung directly in front of the police, who were obliged to reduce speed to avoid a collision. The driver of the car that was being pursued executed a daring turn at fast speed at a street intersection, A righthand swerve was made on two wheels, and the car continued toward St. Kilda road. The police car by this time had driven close again, and soon the Scars were running almost level. A constable i n duty at this point signalled to the fugitives to stop, but the signal was disregarded. Senior Constable Downie, in the police car, then fired a shot over the car, but it disappeared along another road. A delay of a few seconds was caused to the patrol car by traffic, and when it resumed the chase the clutch failed to act properly, and the pursuit had to be abandoned. The other car had gained a substantial lead. Constable M'Currach, a member of the patrol, hailed a passing motor cyclist and directed him to take up the chase with his cycle and side car. The car, however, was lost 'to view finally.