Left wallet leads to arrest

Police arrested a 23-year-old at Solway train station carpark after finding a wallet belonging to the alleged offender in a car that had been broken into.

According to police, an officer on patrol in Ngaumutawa Rd on Tuesday saw what he thought could be someone acting suspiciously in the station carpark, but by the time he had turned around and headed back there was no sign of the man.

Searching the car park the policeman found two cars had been broken into. On the floor of one was a man's wallet, next to a ripped-out ignition barrel.

The officer was further surprised when the owner of the wallet drove back into the carpark, where he was apprehended and his car searched.

A car stereo and a large knife were found in the car and the man was arrested on two counts of unlawfully interfering with motor vehicles and possession of an offensive weapon.

In Masterton District Court yesterday Christopher Lee Rushbrook, 23, of Masterton was remanded until September 24 without plea.

Police opposed bail for Rushbrook citing the alleged offences had been committed while he was already on bail.

For Rushbrook, solicitor Jock Blathwayt said his client denied damaging the vehicles in the station carpark and had an explanation for the finding of the wallet "arising out of what a friend had done".

He also had no knowledge of the knife, Mr Blathwayt said.

Judge Tom Broadmore allowed Rushbrook bail, but imposed a 23-hour curfew.

Rushbrook would be free of curfew only between 11am and noon each day and was ordered not to drive.