A RETIRED landscape gardener and his son disregarded their own safety and bravely confronted two men they suspected of breaking into a barn and outbuildings in Buckfastleigh in the early hours of Sunday. The barn and outbuildings have been burgled on several occasions and on Sunday the owner spotted a black Suzuki Vitara parked outside his yard. Balanced on the roof of the vehicle was his yellow dog ball thrower. He fetched his son from his home nearby and when they returned they found two men sat in the car. The driver, finding himself blocked in, unsuccessfully attempted to escape by driving the vehicle at the landowner's car. Speaking to both men and challenging them, the owner then went towards his own vehicle to summon help, but the driver chased him and attempted to grab the keys from his car to try to prevent him leaving. During the struggle a hoof paring knife was drawn by the driver who made threats and waved the 4ins blade, cutting the man's hand. When police arrived the driver was being detained by the man's son, and after violently resisting he was removed from the vehicle and arrested. The driver and his passenger were taken to Torquay Police Station for questioning. Police said a search of the Vitara revealed a quantity of amphetamine, along with stolen property including a saddle, videos and a first aid kit which were taken from an earlier burglary at a remote stable block in the Ashburton area. The Suzuki Vitara had earlier been stolen from Ivybridge. Enquiries are continuing and police are asking anyone in the Ashburton or Buckfastleigh area who may have had property taken from outbuildings or barns during the weekend to contact Ashburton Police Station. If anyone has any other information regarding the incident then they are asked to telephone Crimestoppers on 0800 555111, quoting the crime reference JA/06/390.
