ROBBED SHOP TILLS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 31, 7 February 1928, Page 7

ROBBED SHOP TILLS.

A YOUTH CAUGHT. LONG CHASE BT POLICE. CASE ADJOURNED FOR A YEAR. After being caught in the act of attempting to rob a till in the Auckland Milk Company's branch shop, Jervois Road, last evening, a youth of eighteen bolted down the street, followed by the manager, and, after a long chase, was captured by Constable Leslie, of Ponsonby. Three times during the past few weeks Mr. Hansen, who manages the shop, has missed money from the till, so he decided to keep a close watch. At 5.10 p.m. yesterday he saw the youth enter. As he was about to touch the till, Mr. Hansen rushed into the shop, the intruder running out down Jervois Road. Constable Leslie observed the chase and followed the youth in a motor car. From Jervois Road the youth ran into St. Mary's Road to Dublin Street and New Street. 'When in College Hill, he ran around the back of a tram car , which had stopped. Thinking that he was about to board the car, the constable left the motor car and followed on foot. The fugitive then ran along England Street, where he was arrested. The youth appeared at the Police Court this morning, pleading guilty to one charge of attempted theft from a till and two charges of stealing money from the till of the shop—ll/6 on February 4 and 7/6 on January 27. Sub-Inspector McCarthy said that accused frankly admitted the offences. He was the son of respectable parents and was employed as a French polisher. Ever since he was a child he had suffered from epileptic fits. Describing the case as a most pitiful one, Mr. J. -J. Sullivan stated that sometimes, after a fit, accused would sleep for two days. He was in a bad state of health. '"That might account for these offences," suggested Mr. Hunt. Counsel added that if accused was given another chance both his mother and his employer would do their best for him. Mr. Hunt said that in the circumstances he did not want to convict accused, whose case was adjourned for 12 months. He would have to make full restitution. The magistrate also ordered suppression of his name.