A Havelock North couple who helped a Gisborne man after he crashed off the road near Wairoa, on Sunday, were left car-less after he made off in theirs.
It was one incident in a string of events between Gisborne and Wanganui which police described as "a trail of destruction".
Part of thattrail being investigated by police involved an incident at the Carlyle St Store about 7.30pm on Sunday when a man wearing a beanie and black jacket walked in and handed over a bag to a young woman behind the counter - asking her to fill it.
She put a quantity of money in the bag and the man ran out and around the corner to where he had parked the car allegedly taken earlier.
The Havelock North couple, both aged 63, whose Mitsubishi Lancer was stolen while trying to help the man, were also unhurt - but left shocked by what happened.
It is understood the 24-year-old, who was arrested yesterday morning in Wanganui, had taken a car belonging to a family member in Gisborne on Sunday afternoon and driven south.
About 15km south of Wairoa, at Waihua Hill, on State Highway 2, the man lost control and the car crashed down a bank and into a tree.
Senior Sergeant Tony Bates, of Wairoa Police, said the couple spotted the man and the car and pulled over to help.
"While the couple were assisting the driver, he got into the driver's seat of their car and started it. The male tried to stop the man driving off, but he was pushed aside."
Their car was recovered by Wanganui police.
The man was to appear in Whanganui District Court today. Charges were yet to be decided.
