Magpies winger runs down shoplifter

Ryan Tongia, Hawkes Bay Magpie Rugby player, talks with Thanks shop manager Jade Hodgson day after Tongia caught a shoplifter.

Fast feet on the field became fleet feet on the street as a speedy rugby star nabbed a fleeing shoplifter this week.

Hawke's Bay winger Ryan Tongia said he was having brunch at Cappadonna Cafe in Napier with fellow Magpies halfback Chris Eaton and ex-All Black Zac Guildford on Tuesday morning when a thief ran out of Thanks, a nearby clothing store.

He had realised something was wrong after hearing the screams of a "distressed" female across the road, who had been staffing the shop alone.

Brisbane-born Tongia, who also plays for the Highlanders, had jumped up without giving it another thought. "It was a matter of either sit and watch, or react -- and that's what I did, I just reacted.

"I wasn't trying to be a hero or anything," he said.

He chased the alleged thief at top speed for about three blocks. During the chase he overtook two other pursuers - who happened to be off-duty police officers.

When he caught up with the thief, he grabbed his hoodie and made "what I guess you'd call a citizen's arrest".

Tongia admitted being worried the shoplifter might have been aggressive or even armed.

But those fears were soon allayed when the captured youngster started crying and put his hands in the air.

"I told the young man he'd made a bad decision and asked why he did it. He was kind of remorseful and said he did it for smokes.

"It just goes to show he has bad people around him."

Tongia grabbed the clothes and was about to let him go when the two other pursuers finally caught up.

The off-duty officers marched the thief back to Thanks, where he was arrested and taken away.

While admitting defence was not his strong suit, the winger said it was good to get in some practice while out and about.

Cappadonna Cafe was not a regular hangout for the teammates -- it was simply a case of, "being in the right place at the right time".

Guildford and Eaton, who were still sore from playing in the ITM Cup at the weekend, stood back, but were inspired by Tongia's actions.

"It was pretty impressive to watch actually. I didn't realise how fast he was until [Tuesday]," Guildford said.

Tongia was also a little surprised by his reactions, but he was happy he did step in.

"I love the Hawke's Bay. We're big in this community, being Magpies. It's a community that I am proud to be a part of and want to help keep safe, and I don't want anything like that going on," he said.

"The boys [teammates] have been very supportive. They said it was a good thing I did. Nobody does it to be a hero."

Tongia had returned to the store after everything died down to check that Thanks store manager Jade Hodgson was all right. She said the alleged thief had been one of two young men who had gone in looking a tad "suspicious".

He had wandered around before grabbing a handful of jeans and a puffer jacket then running out the door. All alone and with other customers still inside, she could only yell for others to help.

"I'm so thankful. It's just nice to know that people will still help you," she said.