AN EXCITING CHASE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22742, 30 November 1935, Page 14

AN EXCITING CHASE

APPARENT ATTEMPT TO REMOVE CAR OWNER ACTS PROMPTLY (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, November 29. After a brief but exciting chase in Newmarket, a man suspected of converting a new motor car to his own use, was overtaken by the owner of the car in the Domain to-night and held until the police arrived. It was by the merest chance that the car was seen to mave off from where its owner, Mr W. N. M'Callum, had parked it outside his residence. “I arrived home from Dargaville shortly before 7 o’clock and had carried some of my bags upstairs, - ’ Mr M’Callum said. “ I did not lock the car, a new model, because I intended to go back for the rest of my bags. About three minutes after I entered the flat, my wife looked out of the window and called out ‘ There’s a man trying to get away with the car.’ ”

The car was already moving when Mr M'Callum looked out from a second-storey window. He called out to the man, who stopped the car, got out, and replied, “ It’s all right.” He then commenced to v.alk towards Newmarket. Mr M'Callnm called to his wife to telephone to the police and promptly ran downstairs to try to overtake the man.

“When he saw me following, he commenced to run down Carlton Gore road,” Mr M'Callum said. “ I followed in the car and saw him turn in at the_ lower entrance to the Domain. Hoping to head him off, I drove along Geoi-ge street and then left the car, scrambling up a bank among the trees in the Domain. He was running about 100 yards ahead of me through the trees and towards the museum. As soon as he caught sight!' of me he made some pace, but I managed to catch him. He. did not struggle once he had been overtaken and I had told him that the police were on the way. I brought the man back into Carlton Gore road to await the police.” In response to Mrs M'Callum’s telephone message, a detective was quickly on the scene in a police car. He took charge of the man, who was later lodged in the cells. He will appear in the Police Court to-morrow charged with converting a car to his own use.