A Dunedin couple were recovering after chasing a man who stopped at a service station in their stolen car to buy a pie.
Security guard and cleaner Kevin Jones, of Caversham, said when he left his home to start work about 5am a week ago he discovered the family's Subaru Legacy station wagon had been taken from South Rd.
His wife, Sandra, said the car was important to the family because it was the only way they could transport their disabled 40-year-old daughter, who became upset when using public transport.
''She has to have set routines and any deviation sets her off - she becomes too upset and doesn't eat,'' Mrs Jones said.
Mr Jones said the couple were returning home about 5.30pm on Thursday after going to the police station to have some paperwork signed and were travelling south past the Mobil Forbury service station in Hillside Rd when Mrs Jones told her husband she had seen their stolen car parked at the station.
''I said `What' - I hardly believed her and carried on.''
He drove around the block and returned to the station where he parked in front of their empty stolen car.
His wife got out of the car, with her car keys in hand, and turned the Subaru's engine off.
During a quick search of the Subaru for her daughter's disability car park pass she saw the car's cup-holder held a bong used to smoke cannabis and the first-aid kit was full of cigarettes.
The locks had been jimmied, the ignition had been drilled and the bumper, a front head light and some panels were damaged.
Mrs Jones said she did not fear for her safety while looking in the car.
''I had a week to run scenarios through my head of what I'd do if I'd seen it.''
A man holding a pie came out of the service station shop and walked towards them.
Mr Jones told the man he was in a world of trouble and chased him towards Richmond St.
''I chased him across the forecourt and he saw how close I was to him. He turfed the pie and he wound up his legs - it reminded me of the Road Runner. He hit another gear ... I got all the way across the forecourt and pulled a muscle on the back of my leg.''
The man looked back to see Mr Jones limping behind him.
If he had not pulled the muscle, Mr Jones had planned to tackle him.
The man was in his early 20s, with black curly hair and groomed facial hair, and was wearing a black hoodie with a lime green lining.
The police took the pie as evidence, Mrs Jones said.
Mrs Jones said she had been overwhelmed by the support from the community, who had sent flowers, and lent and offered cars.
Senior Sergeant Ben Butterfield, of the Dunedin District Command Centre, said on Thursday police searched for the man, including using dogs, but the offender escaped.
The stolen car had been involved in four incidents of petrol theft from service stations around Dunedin and Mosgiel since it had been stolen, Snr Sgt Butterfield said.
Police were following positive leads of inquiry and he suggested the offender contact police before officers caught up with him.
The car would be kept by police for forensic examination, he said.
