BOY BURGLARS.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 187, 8 August 1919, Page 8

BOY BURGLARS.

. CAUGHT OX THE PREMISES.

The two youths Robert Thomas Cook (10) and James Montroee Sutherland (16), who had been arrested last Saturday night in Newton, in consequence of their suspicious movements in the vicinity of Rendell'e shop, came before Mr. J. E. Wilson, S.M., yesterday afternoon on charges of breaking and entering. They were charged that on July 10 they damaged a window of the Colonial Ammunition Company's shop in Eniield Street, Mount Eden; that they broke and entered the shop on the same date and stole two automatic pistols; that on July 31 they attempted to break and enter Rendell's shop, Karangahape Road; and that on August 2 thej- broke and entered Rendell's shop with intent to commit a crime.

Evidence was given that about 9.13 p.m. last Saturday Constables Castle and Burn went to the rear of Rendell's shop, Karangahape Road, and on approaching the back entrance, opening on to Cross Street, Constable Castle came across Cook beside a shed there. Asked what he was doing there he replied, "nothing," and then added that he was waiting for his mate, Jim Sutherland. Cook wag handed over to Constable Burn and was taken to the Newton police | station. Constable Castle waited at the back entrance of Rondell'e, and after a time he heard an upstairs window opened and a whistle was sounded. The eonetable whistled back, and a torchlight flash was shown from the window. After I that someone rattled at the inside of the back door nnd a voice said something. The constable answered, but a sudden silence ensued. Mr. F. Rendell was summoned and the shop searched, but it was obvious that someone who had been ineide had got away by an upstairs window. About three next morning witness called at Sutherland's home in Srmonds Street, and found Sutherland at home fully dressed. When taxed with having broken into Rendell's the lad admitted it. Hβ took the constable to a place near his home where he had thrown a cold chisel, a flashlight torch, and a very small calibre revolver which was fully loaded. He eaid he had taken off hia boots and stockings before going into Rendell'e, and the constable found these hidden under a shed at the back of the shop. An automatic pistol, loaded, and a torchlight and rubber gloves were found on Cook when he was arrested. Both boys admitted they had tried to break into Rendell's on the previous Thursday night, and they admitted that previously they had smashed the window of the C.A.C. shop in Mount Eden with a piece of iron and had stolen an automatic pistol. That was the pistol carried by Cook, and from private numbers it carried it was identified as one of two automatic pistols stolen from the shop window on July 19. The chieel obtained from Sutherland fitted into marks found on the back door in Rendell's shop on August 1. Entrance to the shop on Saturday had been effected by forcing a back window, and an inside door had also been forced; no goods were missing. Accused, who were represented by Messrs. A. E. Skclton and Prendergaat, pleaded guilty, and were committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. Bail was allowed, each in one surety of £100, with a reporting condition.