AFTER FOUR MONTHS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 250, 22 October 1928, Page 5

AFTER FOUR MONTHS.

BIG ROBBERY RECALLED.

ARREST OF YOUNG MAN.

STOLEN PROPERTY FOUND.

BURIED IN WAITAKERES.

An important arrest was made by Detectives O'Sullivan and Moon at a house in New Lynn early on Saturday evening, when they took into custody, Cecil Francis Hunt (24), a mechanic, on a charge of breaking and entering the shop of Meltzer Bros., in Victoria Street, on the night of June 25, and stealing a quantity of jewellery, prismatic glasses and a violin, of a total value of £120.

_ The detectives have recovered a quantity of the stolen goods. Many articles were covered with mud and dirt, and it is understood that they had been buried for some time in the Waitakeres prior to being taken to the house.

Hunt appeared at the Police Court this morning on the charge. On the application of Chief Detective Hammond, he was remanded to appear on October 25. A Daring Robbery. The robbery at Meltzer Bros.' pawnshop was carried out in a most striking manner. The thief must have spent a considerable time in the shop choosing his "swag," which was removed through a manhole in the ceiling and then up through a large hole which had been cut in the roof. Ever since then detectives have relentlessly pursued their inquiries in the hope of clearing up the matter.

On July 3 last Hunt appeared at the Police Court on a vagrancy charge, when he was sent to gaol for three months. During the hearing of the case the suggestion was made by Chief Detective Hammond that Hunt knew more about the robbery than he cared to tell. This suggestion was strongly contested by Mr. J. J. Sullivan, who appeared for Hunt.

At the hearing on July 3 Detective Moon said that he arrested Hunt on June 27, two days after the robbery, on the vagrancy charge. At the time of his arrest Hunt was in a billiard saloon. When Hunt was told that it was alleged that he had two suitcases in his possession on June 26, the night after Meltzer

Bros.' pawnshop had been entered, he told witness that the two suitcases were left by him at the railway luggage office. Hunt handed over the two tickets, and a large suitcase and small case were later recovered by witness. These were quite new and were produced in Court. Detective Moon said that when he booked in at a hotel at II p.m., Hunt had two suitcases with him. Hunt said that these 'contained beer. Hunt had £1 17/ in his possession at the time of his arrest and when asked where he got this money he replied that "he just got it" and that how he got it would not bear investigation. "Plenty of Mugs About." Similar evidenee was given by Detective O'Sullivan. Accused told him that he did not come by the money honestly. "What do you mean by that t" accused was asked. "Well, there are plenty of mugs about town and I can pick them up. Sometimes I get beer for them. Sometimes I bring the beer along, and sometimes I make them wait for their money."

The licensee of a city hotel stated that accused booked in about 11.30 on June 25. Be had two suit cases with him, and both appeared to contain something, judging by the way Hunt carried them upstairs. He had left the hotel before witness arose t" i following morning. He paid for his bed and breakfast. Accused had previously stayed at the hotel. A shop assistant said that on Tuesday, June 26, between midday and 1 p.m., he sold Hunt the two cases. That concluded the evidence. Mr. Sullivan said that the charge was that Hunt was an idle and disorderly person with insufficient means of support. Hunt had been working at Te Axai, North Auckland, for five months, and only came to Auckland about three weeks ago. Since then he had been staying at an uncle's place in Grey Lynn. He had money with him, and he had once spoken to an undesirable. Surely that evidence was not sufficient on which to convict accused? Hunt could not be convicted on mere suspicion.

Hunt gave evidence. H© said he was a mechanic, and since coming back to Auckland, he had been unable to secure a position. Explaining how he got the money found on him, he said he earned it by "showing people where they could get a good time."

Asked what he meant by that, Hunt replied: "Well, I tell individuals where they can get beer after hours, and the dance halls to go to."

"Quite an honourable occupation," interjected Chief Detective Hammond.

"What did you want the new suit cases for?" asked the chief detective.

"To put my clothes in. I had a job to go to on the day I was arrested."

But if you were placing your clothes in the suit cases, why deposit them at the railway station?— Well, the station was a convenient place. "Bags Contained Beer." Where are i~. portmanteaux, or large bags, you had at the hotel the night you booked in, not these suitcases we have here in court?—l don't know; they might be in the King Country.

Who did you give them to?—To five men.

Who are the men?—l don't know them. What did the bags contain ?—Beer. Do y u know Hilda Jackson, who lives in Nelson Street?— No.

Later, Hunt admitted that he was at her house on the Tuesday night, after the woman's b-other had taken him there.

Did you tell Hilda Jackson that you did a £200 job—the ?'Mtzer Bros.' robbery.—No, I did not.