Michael pictured after winning the gruelling Ballyliffin Coastal Challenge
Exclusive: A THIEF suspect who tried to get away after items were stolen from business premises took on the wrong man in his getaway bid.
Quick-thinking fitness guru Michael Black gave chase after a man stole keys and other items from offices he shares at Mountain Top in Letterkenny.
Michael, whose Optimal Fitness Centre provides advice to Donegal’s GAA stars, told Donegal Daily he was just glad he could help.
The instructor was completing a children’s fun camp on Tuesday afternoon when business neighbour and friend the physio Tommy Gallagher reported keys missing from his premises.
A suspect in a black hoodie had also been seen lurking around other parts of the building.
“He was standing at the top of the road and someone called Gardai but then the suspect took off,” said Michael, who has won countless road races around the country in the past few years.
“He went into the back of houses and over fences and I just kept going. I have to admit that he lost me at one stage because he ended up in the Medisize business premises further down the road.
“Then suddenly he reappeared and I could see him throwing things out of his pockets.
“I ran after him and I managed to get him this time and I marched back up the road where gardai had arrived.”
Michael said gardai then took the suspect around the route of his getaway and recovered a number of items including cash.
However he was today playing down his role.
“I did break into a sweat,” he laughed.
“I just did what any other good citizen would do and I have to congratulate the gardai for getting here so quickly. I suppose I did make their job a wee bit easier.”