NEARLY CAUGHT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 124, 27 May 1932, Page 3

NEARLY CAUGHT.

CHASED BY CONSTABLE. PURSUIT OF BLUE CAR. COLLISION IN SIDE STREET. Tho robbers had a narrow escape from being captured by Constable Mackrell, who was on duty in Albert Street. The constable was walking along a little below the Star Hotel when he saw a dark blue car come dashing down the centre of the roadway at 40 miles or more an hour. Constable Mackrell made to stop it, and the car turned suddenly into Moore Street, a small thoroughfare running through from Albert Street to Hobson Street. Plashing round the corner, the blue car crashed into a "baby" car parked in Moore Street. The car in which the three men were making their • getaway was thrown about nine feet, and skidded 20 or 30 yards, but did not overturn.

A moment later Constable Mackrell reached the corner and was told by a civilian that the blue car had turned down towards Customs Street. The constable sprinted straight down Albeit Street to Customs Street, where ho stopped a light van and set out to pick up the blue car, of which he had then lost sight. The pursuit was hopeless, as tho van could not make more than 20 miles an hour. The constable then hailed a passing car, got into it, and went as far as the foot of College Hill but could not see the car he was looking for. ° Gasping, Choking Groans. Mr. D. W. MacClure, who has a second-hand bookshop next door to the recess of the doorway in which the assault and robbery took place, said that he was having "lunch with his wife in the diningroom at the back of the shop when he heard sounds. "I got up and walked casually into the shop and then heard gasping, choking, agonising cries outside. I went to the door and saw several men in the doorway of the next shop and they had hold of Mr. Parkinson's accountant. "Blood was all over the accountant's face. There was silver scattered about, and I saw the men then run. It was all done in a flash. They ran to a seemingly old car, but looked to have difficulty in getting in as quick as ihqsr wished. Informed the Police. "I ran after the car, taking the num-ber—l7-629—and I can tell you I sprinted as fast as ever I did in my life. I lost sight of it, but kept on running till I reached a garage in Federal Street. There I asked a chap in a car if ho had seen another travelling at top speed, and he told me he had seen one turn the corner of Kingston Street on two wheels, and go through to Albert Street. I then got him to take me to the police station where I reported the hold-up." Descriptions of Two Men. Tho police have issued descriptions of two men. The first is: "Tall, thin build, clean shaven, poorly dressed in grey suit. Age about 30." The socond is: "Of big build, thick set, with bull neck, looks like a seaman. Age about 35, height about sft Din." The third man is known to the police. Tho number or the car is 17-029. It is a two-seater, of blue colour. Pursued for Speeding. At the time he gave chase Constable Mackrell did not know of the hold-up in Victoria Street, and was after the car for speeding. He took the number, 17-029, which is the same as that of the car in which the robbers made their getaway.