Car plunges into water as port chalmers crime spree ends with citizen's arrest

A string of alleged thefts and attempted break-ins in the normally quiet Otago port town of Port Chalmers came to an end on Friday morning after a local resident chased a suspect with a stick before a citizen's arrest was made.

According to a report by Stuff, police say the incident began when a stolen late-model vehicle was driven into the water at Back Beach. The suspect is believed to have abandoned the vehicle before it submerged and then allegedly stole another vehicle, driving it to nearby Carey's Bay.

The crime spree continued as residents in the area encountered the man in their neighbourhood.

One homeowner said his partner was awakened early in the morning and looked outside to check the weather when she noticed someone sitting inside one of their vehicles, as reported by Stuff.

“She sees someone sitting in one of our cars,” the man told Stuff.

He said the vehicle's interior light was on and its headlights were flashing. Initially, his partner believed it was him until she realised the front door was locked and the car keys were still inside the house.

The suspect then allegedly attempted to enter the home before fleeing when confronted.

“As soon as I switch the hall light on, I can hear him scarpering,” the homeowner said, Stuff has quoted.

Although the intruder escaped, he allegedly stole the woman's Marks & Spencer jacket, which police later recovered when the suspect was arrested.

According to Stuff, later that morning, the man was reportedly seen attempting to steal parcels before being pursued by a local resident carrying a stick. The suspect was caught outside the Port Chalmers Library, where members of the public detained him until police arrived.

Senior Sergeant Iain Notman confirmed that a 28-year-old man had been arrested following a series of incidents across the area, including the vehicle that ended up in the sea, Stuff has reported.

According to Stuff, police allege the suspect abandoned the stolen vehicle before it entered the water. Investigators also say he stole another vehicle, tampered with several others and attempted to break into a retail store in South Dunedin during the same morning.

The man is scheduled to appear in the Dunedin District Court on multiple charges, as reported by Stuff.

Meanwhile, the Otago Regional Council's pollution response team recovered the submerged vehicle from the ocean later on Friday.