STERN CHASE

Stratford Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 225, 21 April 1933, Page 5

STERN CHASE

POLICE IN PURSUIT Suspected Car Thieves at Petone TWO MEN ARRESTED Wellington Today.—After chasing two men for nearly half a mile, through back yards, overfences, and alonq a main thoroughfare, Constable L. E. Honeybone, of the Petone Police, arrested one of them. The other, who escaped in the darkness, was subsequently identified and arrested. They were both believed to have been concerned in an attempt to steal a car.

Constable Honeybone was patrolling near the Palace Theatre in Kensington Avenue, Petone, about 9.15 o'clock when lie noticed two men pushing a small car northward. Their behaviour aroused his suspicions. One man entered the car, the owner of which was in a picture theatre, and attempted to start it. The constable approached quietly, but when only ten yards from the car lie heard the exclamation. "Here's the police." The youth he believed to have been in the car sprinted up the street, with the constable in pursuit. A bystander, Mr. H. S. Isaacs, of Ava Street, joined in the chase and the two followed the youns: men info High Street, Avhere they disappeared into a dark passage adjoining a house. Their mirsuers quicklv followed, and assisted by the constable's torch, they chased the youths over four backyards and fences.

The fugitives were evidently handicapped by the lack of light, and on the fourth fence, one of the youths collapsed with exhaustion, and the co" Q table arrested him. The other young man. who had disappeared, was subsequently identified and was arrested later in the ev^ing.

The arrested men are about 20 years of age. One is a clerk and the other unemployed. They will ai>pear before justices of the peace in the Petone Police Court this morning to answer charsres of being unlawfully in possession of a motorcar and a remand will he asked for. It is understood that there will be further charges brought against thorn concerning the theft of motor-cycles in the district.