Thief nobbled with a trolley

Two men have been arrested after an incident at Mangonui on Wednesday afternoon, which a woman did her best to foil by pushing a shopping trolley into the path of the suspect as he sprinted out of the Four Square.

Her trolley hit him in the knee, making him panic to the point where he apparently forgot about the getaway car waiting for him in the loading zone just outside. He made good his escape, but police delivered two men to the Kaitaia District Court on Saturday. A police spokesman said no further offenders were sought, while the man who allegedly entered the shop had made a full admission.

Jade Te Paa (35, Kaitaia) and Mangonui farmer Neville Joseph Dangen (27), both charged with burglary, were remanded in custody for another appearance tomorrow.

According to police a man entered the shop at around 2.45pm, reached over the counter and tried to grab some cash while the till drawer was open. The shopkeeper slammed the drawer on his hand and a struggle ensued, causing the till to fall on to the floor. The offender grabbed a few banknotes and fled south on Waterfront Drive. The shopkeeper and members of the public gave chase but lost him.

Four Square owner Harpreet Singh said he was grateful to members of the public who tried to stop the thief.

One woman had been unloading her shopping in the trolley bay next to the store entrance when she heard the commotion inside. She saw a man running out the door with the shopkeeper in hot pursuit, so pushed her trolley in front of him, hitting him in the knee.

He panicked and ran off along the waterfront, apparently forgetting his three accomplices waiting in a getaway car in the loading zone immediately outside the shop.

Mr Singh said his brother Raju chased the offender but lost him when the getaway car picked him up.

"We'd like to thank the woman with the trolley, and also members of the public who tried to chase him," Mr Singh said.

Constable Murdock, who said it appeared to be an opportunist crime, with no weapon or threats involved, urged anyone with any information to call the Mangonui police station on (09) 406-2060.