A MAN collapsed and died after he allegedly tried to confront two youths in a bid to protect his property.
Peter Owens, 58, died of a heart attack in an incident outside his home in Townfield Lane, Barnton.
Mr Owens thought burglars were trying to break in after he spotted two youths by his garage at 11.30pm on Thursday.
Detective Chief Inspector Alec Johns, of Northwich CID, said: 'Mr Owens thought the men were acting suspiciously and went round to confront them behind his house. They ran away and he walked back to the house but unfortunately collapsed.
'Although there were one or two witnesses, nobody has seen him actually confront them or any contact between them.'
He said: 'This is a very sad set of circumstances and the family are quite distraught.'
A spokeswoman for Cheshire Constabulary said a 20-year-old man and a 17-year-old youth were arrested on Friday evening in relation to the incident. They were interviewed and released on police bail.
A decision on whether to press charges will be made when they answer police bail on August 28, pending further inquiries.
DCI Johns said: 'It is unlikely manslaughter charges will be brought.
He said: 'It all depends on the death of the person and the post-mortem report, the incident itself, and the involvement of the people. It is a decision for the Crown Prosecution Service.'
Gary May, of Nip-In Grocers in Townfield Lane, said anti-social behaviour and crime was not usually a problem in the area. He said: 'This has been a real shock to everybody. Generally this is a quiet area.'
Police crime figures have recorded 20 burglaries in Barnton since the start of the year, with one in July.
An inquest into Mr Owen's death has been opened and adjourned. His family and neighbours were too upset to talk about the incident.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information should contact Northwich CID on 48000.
