Dutch Premier, Wife Chase Burglars, Help Catch Them

Dutch Premier Ruud Lubbers and his wife pursued a pair of suspected burglars by car and on foot in helping police to apprehend them, police said today.

The episode began Sunday afternoon when Ria Lubbers, the premier’s wife, saw two men smashing a window of her car, which was parked outside the couple’s home in a residential area in this port city.

After calling to her husband, Ria Lubbers ran outside, followed by the premier. The two men, who were pulling the radio from the car, ran from the scene.

Lubbers and his wife then jumped into Ria Lubbers’ car, and after cruising the area for a few minutes, saw the burglars running toward a nearby golf course.

The 47-year-old premier, an avid field hockey player, left the car and chased the men through the rough along the course’s ninth hole, where they were eventually arrested by police alerted earlier by one of the Lubbers’ sons.

The two men were only identified by their initials, M. B. and J. S. Police said the two were apparently unaware that their intended victim was the Dutch leader’s wife.

Dutch premiers routinely continue to live in their private residences, and are not always accompanied by security personnel.

Lubbers spokesman Fred Loertzer refused comment on security arrangements surrounding the premier, except to say “there is security, but the man has to lead his own life.”