Service station owner nabs suspected burglar

Photo / File

Police have arrested a suspected burglar after a service station owner went public and complained to The Star that he had to do his own detective work.

Mobil Wainoni owner Andrew Elliot became so frustrated over what he believed was the lack of police action over the break-in that he took the law into his own hands.

He put a security camera photo of the suspect breaking into the service station on display at the counter and offered a $100 petrol voucher to anyone who could identify him.

A window was smashed during the break-in and food and drink stolen.

Customers identified the youth in the security camera footage and Mr Elliot gave the details to police.

But after not hearing from police for over a fortnight, Mr Elliot went public with his concerns.

The day Mr Elliot's concerns appeared in The Star, police rang him to say they had arrested a 16-year-old youth.

"I am pleased with the outcome," he said.

The 16-year-old will appear in the Youth Court charged with burglary and breaking and entering.