Photo: 123RF
A man in Invercargill has been arrested after choosing to rob perhaps the worst possible victims - a group of elite cyclists.
The cyclists were enjoying a post-race meal on Saturday, police said, when an opportunistic thief grabbed one of their bikes and took off.
"Two of the cyclists mounted their trusty bikes and went into pursuit of the man," Sergeant Geoff Sutherland said.
The suspect "did not stand a chance", he said, only making it three blocks before the athletes sandwiched him in.
"For him, the race was over."
The "out-of-breath" offender was arrested without incident a minute later, Sutherland said.
The $15,000 racing bike suffered only minor damage, and its owner was back racing it the next day.
A 31-year-old man charged with theft will appear in Invercargill District Court on Monday.
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