Mr Monopoly's head recovered

Senior Constable Paul Alden helps Mr Monopoly out after he briefly lost his head in Lawrence yesterday.

Mr Monopoly, who is on a whirlwind tour of Otago promoting the ODT Monopoly board, was taking a short break about 12.40pm and had laid his head down on a bench outside the Lawrence Night ‘n Day store on Whitehaven St when some teenagers allegedly swiped it and took off in a vehicle.

Thanks to helpful witnesses, Snr Const Alden, Lawrence’s only police officer, was soon on their tail, following them 50km to Ettrick, where they stopped at 1.20pm. The head was recovered undamaged.

An 18-year-old man has been charged with theft and will appear in the Alexandra District Court on Thursday.

Mr Monopoly said he was "extremely grateful" for the help of witnesses and the police.