An employee at PW Marine stopped a thief in his tracks yesterday allowing Police to swoop and make an arrest.

Gregory White, a Police reserve officer, who served as a full-time Police officer for two-and-a-half years, was working as a spare parts assistant at PW's Marine shop, on Serpentine Road, in Hamilton, when a shoplifter paid a visit to the store.

The thief was seen taking a pair of Rugged Sharp shoes and a Gill rain jacket, with the total value of $453.95, and tried to leave the store with the items stuffed down his pants.

Acting Manager Jack Pitman said a panic button behind the counter was pushed twice shortly after 1 p.m.

No more than five minutes later the Commissioner of Police George Jackson and five or six other Police cars were on the scene.

Mr. Pitman was surprised by Mr. White's actions and said: "I didn't think ya boy had the strength in him."

Police were unable to comment on the event yesterday, however Mr. White, told The Royal Gazette that he was just trying to stop the culprit from leaving the store.

Mr. White said a struggle broke out between him and the man and he had to use his Police training to restrain the man. He said: "I knew what to look for, the signs and stuff, and how to approach him."

"I just locked his arms up around his back and then I walked him back in the shop," said Mr. White. "Then he was still trying to get away, walking through the different aisles, trying to get out the door.

"A scuffle ensued inside the shop. He swung at me and I kind of ducked out of the way, then we scuffled some more until the Police arrived.

"Myself and another customer helped out and we had him restrained until the Police got there," Mr. White added.

By press time Commissioner Jackson had not returned a phone call to explain the strong Police presence outside the hardware store.