Bob
20th April 2007, 21:02
When Marilee Hibbers, 18 spotted two burglars breaking into a house in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, her only thoughts were about catching them.
Hibbers explained “When the owner of the house saw the theives, she screamed and the men ran out at the back. I heard the scream and saw a man chasing them. I thought well, I have a scooter, I can chase them faster. I just put on my helmet and went after them.”
One of the burglars hid in a garden, where a resident kept him at bay while Hibbers brought the local police who arrested him. Then she set about finding the other thief, who she quickly tracked down, also hiding in a garden. He started to run off, so Hibbers pursued him on her scooter.
She eventually cut in front of him with her scooter and the man fell to the ground, threatening to attack her, so Hibbers put her helmet on her arm at used it as a weapon to subdue hum. “I got on him and hit him with my helmet on the arm. I don‘t regret hitting him because he said he would kick me.”
Hibbers actions were praised by police “This is what community policing and participation is all about,” said police spokesman Superintendent Priscilla Naidu, adding the two men had been arrested and charged with housebreaking.
Hibbers explained “When the owner of the house saw the theives, she screamed and the men ran out at the back. I heard the scream and saw a man chasing them. I thought well, I have a scooter, I can chase them faster. I just put on my helmet and went after them.”
One of the burglars hid in a garden, where a resident kept him at bay while Hibbers brought the local police who arrested him. Then she set about finding the other thief, who she quickly tracked down, also hiding in a garden. He started to run off, so Hibbers pursued him on her scooter.
She eventually cut in front of him with her scooter and the man fell to the ground, threatening to attack her, so Hibbers put her helmet on her arm at used it as a weapon to subdue hum. “I got on him and hit him with my helmet on the arm. I don‘t regret hitting him because he said he would kick me.”
Hibbers actions were praised by police “This is what community policing and participation is all about,” said police spokesman Superintendent Priscilla Naidu, adding the two men had been arrested and charged with housebreaking.