after their double act thwarted a jewellery thief.

The pair witnessed last week's crime and provided vital information which helped Police make an arrest.

While Mr. Simons noted the licence plate numbers on the raider's bike, his partner recorded the letters.

Yesterday the pair returned to Front Street's Walker Christopher store to be rewarded for their actions.

"We are very grateful to them. It took a lot of courage for them to come forward and help the Police without fear of retribution,'' said the store's part owner Mrs. Mary Walker.

Staff cheered and applauded as Mrs. Walker and Mr. Bill Wivell, also part owner, presented the pair with cedar watches and $400 gift certificates.

Mrs. Walker hailed the pair as an example to others in the community in the fight against crime.

She also praised the Police for acting to quickly in making an arrest.

It was in the early hours last Thursday Mr. Simons and Mr. Outerbridge saw a hammer-wielding raider break into the store.

Stolen items included a necklace, and two bracelets, all made out of gold.

Recalled Mr. Outerbridge, a taxi driver: "I saw this guy smash the window and grab the jewellery.

"He then turned up Pitts Bay on his bike, and I followed him.

"I then came back here to find the Police had arrived. I was able to tell them what had happened.'' Within minutes Police had arrested the suspect in Mount Hill, Pembroke, and recovered jewellery worth thousands of dollars.

"I think what they did is absolutely fantastic,'' said Police spokeswoman Insp. Roseanda Jones.

Police were alerted to the store at about 2.30 a.m after the burglar alarm went off.

It was the second raid at the store in the last two and a half years.

Ryan Norris Furbert, of Long Ridge Pass, Devonshire, appeared at Magistrates' Court on Monday and admitted stealing jewellery, including two bracelets and a necklace worth $7,880, from Walker Christopher. last week. He has been sent to Supreme Court for sentence.

MODEL CITIZENS -- Mr. Horace Simons (second from left) and Mr. Alvin Outerbridge receive their awards from grateful part owners of Walker Christopher Mr. Bill Wivell and Mrs. Mary Walker.