HE RODE OFF.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 81, 5 April 1923, Page 5

HE RODE OFF.

' I BEFORE OWNER'S EYES. I ( ! OX VALUABLE MOTOR BIKE. j; i "It was a sudden impulse to which I yielded," said a young man, aged 20 when making a confession to Detective Barling concerning the theft of a motor cvde. valued at £«r>. He had advertised in tlie "Star" that he wished to purchase a motor evele, and a resident of Kohimarama. another young man., had reulied. The reply brought the young man to see the owner of the cycle ;.n March :(. He was given a- ride on,' the rear of the cycle, and Wits aitcH wards allowed t>> try it out by himself. He bad not given any name or address. I.ttl the owner trusted him to the extent. of allowing him to ride off down the I'Oad. "When I first got on the machine by myself 1 had no intention of stealing it", hut as I travelled along 1 thought 1 would just keep on going." He 'lid not -lop until lie got to Orey Lynn, where !:,. rented a small garage at 10/ per week. Some days later he removed the cvde. together with two benzine tins. unopened and full, which were the property of the garage owner. He then put the cycle and bpnzine in a private garage near his home. On March 22 lie tool; ihe motor cycle to a dealer in Mount Eden Road," stating that lie wished to sell it because he was going lo ibe Fanning Islands on April 4. The dealer said lie would endeavour to sell it for him, and tin- cycle was left in his charge. Meanwhile Detective Barling had been busy, and his search was rewarded by Ihe discovery of the big grey machine in the dealer's premises. When identified by tlie owner, the cycle had not been damaced in any way, a new number, a new pump and a new horn having been attached. The young man stated that lie had ridden the cvele on only two n.casioiis. once when lie changed it from one garage to another, and once to worK. although be did not tell his people that he owned the machine. lie pleaded guilty to the theft of the cycle and benzine at the Folice Court this morning, and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. Prisoner, who is the son or very respectable people was admitted to hail on bis mother's recognisance. The magistrate ordered that accused's name should not be published.