Dannevirke: Serial thief flees after being spotted

Dannevirke police are searching for a theif who committed burglaries and got away last friday. Photo/Glenn Taylor.

Dannevirke Police say they are following strong leads in the hunt for a man who stole two cars and committed a number of burglaries last Friday.

"The man had driven on to the grounds of the Dannevirke Golf Club last Friday in a car stolen from Hastings earlier in the day," acting sergeant Gary McKernon of the Dannevirke Police said. "He was seen entering the groundsman's shed and putting two chainsaws into the stolen car. When approached, he made up a story about looking for his lost dog."

With the stolen car blocked in and unable to be used for his getaway, the man made a cross-country dash.

A witness told the Dannevirke News the man said he was searching for his lost rottweiler and when approached took off, hurdling two fences.

"The groundsman gave chase across the paddocks, but lost sight of the burglar on Tamaki River Rd," Mr McKernon said.

"The burglar then found a car with keys in the ignition and took off."

The dog unit from Palmerston North was called and tried unsuccessfully to track the man.

"This chap had committed a couple of burglaries on his way down to Dannevirke from Hastings and he's put a lot of effort into unlawful activities, which could have been better spent in finding a job and doing some work," Mr McKernon said.

Dannevirke Police say inquiries are continuing.