Closed-circuit TV footage, ''good old-fashioned policing'' and help from the public appears to have helped solve an ''unusual'' burglary in Alexandra.
Central Otago area commander Senior Sergeant Ian Kerrisk said a Nelson man and woman, both aged 47, were arrested yesterday in connection with the burglary of one pharmacy and a theft from another pharmacy in the town.
The Alexandra Pharmacy was burgled overnight on Tuesday and drugs and paraphernalia taken, he said.
Video footage and information from members of the public in the area identified a vehicle which might be linked to the burglary.
Yesterday afternoon there was ''suspicious activity'' at another Alexandra pharmacy, including the theft of some items, Snr Sgt Kerrisk said.
As the Nelson woman saw the man being spoken to by police, she fled along Tarbert St.
''She was chased by a police officer a little way along the street and caught. Members of the public offered to help the constable making the arrest, and even though the constable managed to arrest the woman without needing any help, we were grateful for the offers of assistance from the public,'' he said.
A burglary and theft of this nature was ''unusual'' in Central Otago and it was gratifying it was resolved so promptly, thanks to ''good old-fashioned policing'' and the help of local residents.
The man and woman are in custody and will appear in the Dunedin District Court on Monday - the man to face a charge of burglary and the woman to face a charge of theft. Further charges were likely, he said.
Some of the stolen property had been recovered by police.
