Bishop Viard students recognised by police

Reporter Community News

Two students from Porirua’s Bishop Viard College received an Area Commander’s Certificate of Appreciation on Friday, for helping police catch a man suspected of committing a spate of burglaries across Wellington District.
On the day in question, one of our dog handlers was tracking a stolen vehicle in Porirua. The driver crashed the vehicle and ran on to Bishop Viard School grounds, where students Oliver Toru-Tyrell and Rob Head saw what was happening and decided to act.
Fresh from rugby training, the teenagers put skills they learned on the rugby field to good use and tackled the man. Their intervention stalled him long enough for the officer and his police dog to start tracking.
The suspect jumped through a window into an office to escape. After putting up a fight, he was apprehended by the officer with assistance from the two students, who also made sure Public Safety Team staff could access where the officer was holding the suspect.
Police staff were grateful for the warm welcome they received from the school when they attended assembly on Friday to present Oliver and Rob with their certificates. The school students sang as the officers walked into the school hall.
Addressing the assembly on Friday, Inspector Nick Thom said: "The community rightly expect Police to keep them safe - and for Police to achieve this, we also need the public’s help. Oliver and Rob were brave to do so during the incident when they could have stood by and taken no action."
Without their assistance the outcome would have been very different. Their actions assisted in preventing further significant harm in Wellington District and ensured the community is much safer.
Principal Chris Theobald commended the boys for acting in a way which was in line with their school values, and for being a good example to their peers. Both Rob and Oliver are considering a career in Police later down the track.
The man they helped apprehend has been charged with 26 offences, primarily burglaries.