Arrowtown rugby players were in the right place at the right time to bring an alleged criminal to justice in Queenstown on Monday night.
Player Daniel Eyles, of Arrowtown, said yesterday he and eight fellow members of the team were leaving Flame Bar and Grill restaurant, one door down from Westpac, about 10pm when they heard a smashing sound and looked towards the bank.
''There was a gentlemen running very quickly away, so we checked it out, saw there was a broken window and realised we should chase him,'' Mr Eyles said.
''A few boys ran after him but couldn't get him, so we just rang the police.
''We waited for them and they asked us questions and while that was happening, the guy that we chased came back and walked past the scene, which was a very strange thing to do, I guess.
''He's walking past us trying to not be recognised, but one of the boys pointed him out and we all agreed that was that man. He carried on walking past casually and the policeman just walked over and grabbed him.''
Senior Constable Chris Blackford, of Queenstown, said yesterday an intoxicated 25-year-old Australian man was given a pre-charge warning after allegedly stealing two T-shirts from Alta snowboard shop in Duke St on Monday at 6.40pm.
Later the same night, the man allegedly smashed the glass door of Westpac.
Sergeant Blair Duffy, of Queenstown, said yesterday the Australian man was charged with intentional damage and was expected to appear in the Queenstown District Court on September 9.
''Any assistance provided by members of the public is appreciated, particularly when it allows us to resolve an offence,'' Sgt Duffy said.
