A group of elite cyclists attending a national cycling event in Invercargill managed to add an extra race they had not anticipated to their weekend, says Sergeant Geoff Sutherland.
While the group were enjoying a meal after one of their races on Saturday, they witnessed an opportunistic thief take one of their road bikes and ride away.
¡°Two of the cyclists mounted their trusty bikes and went into pursuit of the man.¡±
The alleged offender did not stand a chance against the cyclists, only going as far as three blocks before being sandwiched in and apprehended.
¡°For him, the race was over.¡±
A Police patrol unit was on-scene within a minute, and the out of breath offender was arrested without incident.
Thankfully, the $15,000 road racing bike suffered only minor damage, and the owner was able to race the following day in the finals event with some success.
A 31-year-old local man is due to appear in Invercargill District Court today, charged with theft.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre