feet up a Hamilton street as she gripped the bike of an escaping shop thief.

The brave 21-year-old cashier screamed for help, clinging desperately to the bike's basket.

Her iron grip prevented the night-time raider from gaining his balance.

A passer-by finally ended her harrowing ordeal by knocking the man off the bike.

Others helped pin him to the ground until Police arrived.

Miss Burrows was also sent flying, scraping her shins and injuring a finger.

She was taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, but released after treatment.

The drama occurred at around 9 p.m. on Thursday after the thief wearing a crash helmet entered the Angle Street Variety Store.

He waited until the young cashier had finished dealing with a customer. Once alone with her, he asked her to change a $100 bill.

After she had taken four $20 bills and two $10 bills from the till, he grabbed the cash and fled the store.

Miss Burrows, although shoeless, gave chase, grabbing hold of the man's bike outside the store.

Her screams alerted her father, who was upstairs in the store, and owner Mrs.

Carmen Brangman.

They ran down the street as passers-by watched in astonishment.

A small crowd had gathered by the time the man was knocked off his bike.

People sat on him until Police arrived after being alerted by Mr. Lloyd Tyrell, manager of the neighbouring business.

Yesterday Miss. Burrows, of Roberts Avenue, Devonshire, told The Royal Gazette of her amazement at being taken in by the thief.

"Although he didn't show me the $100 note he seemed trustworthy and honest.

He was polite and said please,'' she said.

"I couldn't believe it when he snatched the money out of my hand. For a moment I didn't know what to do.

"I didn't have any shoes on but I suddenly decided to run after him. I didn't know what I would do if I caught up with him.

"His bike was parked right outside and I just grabbed the basket. It was instinctive.

"He couldn't get his balance, and so the bike never picked up any speed.

"We must have gone up the street 40 or 45 feet before he was knocked off the ground.

"His bike went crashing into the middle of the street, and he also fell there. He didn't struggle, but kept shouting he hadn't take any money.'' Miss. Burrows said it took most passers-by a few minutes to cotton on to what was happening.

"I don't think they knew what was going on.'' Luckily Miss Burrows' injuries were minor. Doctors had to cut off a ring on her injured finger to treat it.

"I didn't need any bandaging, and am feeling all right,'' she said.

She added: "I did suffer from shock, however, afterwards. When Police interviewed me I burst into tears. It was a delayed reaction.'' Asked if her ordeal took a lot out of her physically, she replied: "When I'm mad I am quite strong.'' Mrs. Brangman said the store remained open until midnight, with only one person manning it.

Yesterday, 37-year-old gardener Edward Waldron, of Crawl Hill, Hamilton Parish, pleaded guilty at Magistrates' Court to stealing $100 from the Angle Street Variety Store, on Thursday night.

Waldron told Acting Senior Magistrate the Wor. John Judge he needed cash for drugs.

Mr. Judge adjourned the case until June 26 for social inquiry reports.

Waldron was bailed in the sum of $500 in his own recognizance.

Miss Onika Burrows.