A police officer had to jump over a wall to catch the 12-year-old boy allegedly responsible for vandalism at a Balclutha car dismantler and auto shop.
Thousands of dollars' damage was done to about 35 cars at Munro Auto Spares in a string of incidents last week.
Senior Constable Tom Taylor, of Balclutha, said yesterday the boy was caught breaking into the yard on Thursday, after measures were put in place to catch the culprit.
A police officer heard someone come on to the site and made a move to catch him.
"He jumped up over the wall and grabbed him,'' Snr Const Taylor said.
The boy was referred to Youth Aid.
● The driver of a 4WD vehicle involved in an incident where a 20-year-old woman was moderately injured while "car-surfing'' at Tautuku Bay on Sunday, is likely to face charges.
Snr Const Taylor said the woman was sitting on the bonnet or roof of the vehicle, when she was flung from the vehicle as it turned on the beach.
Senior Sergeant Alastair Dickie, of Balclutha, said the driver could be charged with dangerous driving causing injury.
Legally, the beach was classed as a road, so usual laws applied.
"All the offences that can be committed on a road can be committed on a beach,'' he said.
Police were still investigating the incident.
