Police dog strips suspect after alcohol goes missing

An alleged burglar ran naked through Westport North School grounds early yesterday after a police dog stripped off his clothing.

Inspector John Canning, of Westport, said two men broke into Larsen's Tavern about midnight and stole a carton of alcohol. Police were called after a posse of locals turned up at the Westport Deep Sea Fishing School hostel, looking for the alleged offenders.

Mr Canning said a 21-year-old student made a run for it and a police dog tracked him to the nearby school grounds. The student punched the dog handler several times and ran away, despite being pepper sprayed, he said.

The student was "stark naked, with a whole lot of dog wounds". The policeman was not hurt, but the alleged offender needed medical treatment. He had been charged with burglary, assault and resisting arrest.

Another student, 19, was charged with burglary.

Mr Canning said both had been expelled from the fishing school.

Earlier in the evening, a man ran into Liquorland and stole an armful of alcohol, Mr Canning said.

Liquor matching the description was found in a car which crashed into a parked vehicle on the corner of Coates and Derby Sts about 1am.

One person was admitted to Grey Hospital after the crash and police were seeking up to three other people believed to be in the vehicle.

- NZPA