THIEF ESCAPES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19336, 28 May 1937, Page 10

THIEF ESCAPES

BAY VIEW MAN HUNT TWO STOLEN OARS A thief, a policeman, two stolen cars and several residents of Bay View were involved in a sensational ’ burglary at McJTardy’s store, Bay View,, a i an early hour yesterday morning, in which the thief, who is believed to be a Maori, ultimately made bis escape after actually eoming'lo grips with the storekeeper and being pursued for several miles bv the police parly in a stolen motor car. Mr. ,\. Mcllardv. who lives in a house adjoining the shop, was awakened at d. 30 n.m. by the sound of someone prowling about in the store. Leaving his bed, he entered the store in time to see the person, who is thought to he a Maori, getting into a ear standing outside the shop. A struggle ensued, but the thief, as soon as the key was taken out of Hie ear. made off lip the road. .In tin' meantime, Mr. I ( ’rank AleHardy had also been awakened and. with bis brother, lie set out in pursuit, of the thief, who, ('hiding I hem, came hack to the car, only to be put, into flight by‘Mr. ,1. Wilson, also of Bay View.

Arrival of Police With the arrival of (Gonstahlo 1). Walden, the stolen car was appropriated in a search along the Eskdale road. The pursuers doubled back down the, beach road from Bay View and when they

arrived hack .Mr. Martel, a resident of tiio locality, reported that a car owned by Air. Frank Wilson, of Esk Valiev had been stolen.

The thief was followed to Alarshall’s Crossing, Eskdale, but he had doubled back to Bay View, where efforts to head him off were unsuccessful. 'The pursuers went as far as the top of Tilioknra Hill, where a motor lorry driver stated lhal lie had passed no vehicle.

If was taler reported that, the stolen ear had been found a mile off the road on the Ihtiikomoana turn-off, from which point the police have recommenced the search.

The tide! had broken open the petrol pump nufside I lie store and taken ]3 gallons of benzine, two of which lie had put into a 1 in, before iie fumed his attention to the store',