SERIES OF THEFTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 95, 23 April 1926, Page 7

SERIES OF THEFTS.

QUARTET IN THE DOCK. ' WHOLESALE OPERATIONS. ■ • ■ j (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) DANNEVIRKE, this day. ' The magistrate, Mr. R. W. Dwyer, -had a busy day at Ormondville yesterday, hearing a series of charges against four defendants, involving theft, breaking and entering, and also arson. '''■ -. j, In regard to the last-mentioned charge,-Albert Graham Gleeson, Herbert Gleeson, and Wm. Henry Thomas, were charged with having, on February 14 last, wilfully set fire to the store at Norsewood of John Stanley Mathias, draper. From the evidence it appeared that accused visited the shop later at .night and stole various articles ,which i they carried away in two afterwardfe dividing the spoil. Police evidence was to the effect that each"* had made a voluntary written confession. Thomas admitted having set fire to the premises,, and the'.Gleeson brothers had allegedly discussed ways and means of, covering up the tracks of the burglary. The stock and effects of the premises were valued at £4500, and the building at f 1500, while the insurance on the stock was £3000, and on the building £1120. Thomas pleaded guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. Gleeson brothers pleaded 'not guilty and were committed for trial, bail being refused. ..... In addition Thomas admitted the theft from yarious places of motor tool? valued'at £8, a tarpaulin valued at £15; a motor tyre and rim worth £7, a' rug valued at £3, and on these charges was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon.

Gleeson brothers and Thomas then admitted the theft of carpenter's, tools valued at £12, and horse covers valued at £4, and also, on February 14, at Norsewood, breaking and entering the. shop of John Stanley Mathias, and stealing'clothing and boots of the value of £350; also, on February 19, at Takapau, breaking and entering the shop of Leslie Hukuma Janett, and stealing motor tyres, electric bulbs, and accessories valued at £80.

The Gleesons and .Thomas also admitted other theft charges, and on all the theft and burglary charges were committed to the. Supreme 'Court for sentence. "• •

. Hans Hansen, who participated in the theft of benzine and horse covers, was admitted to probation for twelve months, and -ordered to pa;- costs of prosecution. X

Much of the , stolen property was recovered by the police on the premises of the Gleejons when a search warrant was executed. l .-*