Cops taze man holed up in Hilton roof cavity

by Charlotte Choo

April 25, 2008

POLICE zapped an alleged serial burglar with a stun gun after discovering him in a narrow roof cavity at a house in Hilton on April 21.

Murdoch Police acting officer in charge Sergeant Graeme Lewington told eMU News that the man, Bernie Narkle (23) was wanted by police on a return to prison warrant.

Sgt Lewington said, that at the time of the arrest, the roof space was extremely confined and posed a significant risk to his colleagues.

Mr Narkle was initially challenged by police in Quince Way, Coolbellup, alleged Sgt Lewington. Police allege he then broken into a house but managed to escape in a car police say was stolen from the property.

Following a tip received at about 5.00pm on April 21, the cops tracked Mr Narkle to a house on Collick Street, Hilton, where police say he was found hiding in a narrow roof cavity.

Sgt Lewington alleged Mr Narkle put up a fight, and that two female officers received bruising as a result of the tussle.

The sergeant also alleged Mr Narkle tried to smash his way through the roof and gyprock sheeting, and had to be brought down with a shot from a taser to prevent additional injury to himself and the police.

At the time of writing, Mr Narkle was being treated in Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, where he was receiving treatment for a head injury as a result of the incident. Police inquiries are continuing and Mr Narkle has not yet been charged.