ATTEMPTED THEFT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 302, 22 December 1933, Page 8

ATTEMPTED THEFT.

HENDERSON AFFAIR. GAOL FOR THREE MEN. "IT MUST BE STOPPED." Three men convicted of attempting to steal benzine and oil valued at £2 5/4 from the bowser and store of Andrew 'Sinkovich on the Lincoln Road, Henderson, last Monday night, were this morning sentenced to three months' imprisonment by Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M. Accused, who pleaded not guilty, were: Bert Koland Sergeant, a motor driver, aged 23; his brother, Alphonso Raymond Sergeant, a labourer, aged 20; and Denny Hoey, a bushman, aged 29. Mr. W. Noble represented accused. Alfred Rudge, a sawmiller, of Henderson, said that last Monday night the three accused had been carting logs to his mill from Riverhead. One of the young men had said that they did not have much benzine, and he had told them to go to a garage, which was about a quarter of a mile away. Sinkovich's bowser was about two miles distant. Mr. Noble: Hoey is supposed to be t.Tie champion axeman of the world, is he not? —Yes. A neighbour who lives opposite Sinkovich's store said that on Monday night she heard a motor lorry stop down the road, and later she saw lights at the bowser. She rang Sinkovich, and while, she was ringing the police she heard two shots fired. "He Thew Away a Tin." After saying that he had been told by telephone that somebody was trying to break into his store, Andrew Sinkovich stated that, together with his son, ■he had crept up the path towards the store. "I called out to one of the young men to stop, but he took no notice," said witness. "I fired a shot, and he threw away a kerosene tin. I told him to stop again, but again he took no notice, and I fired another shot." Constable Rnshton, of Henderson, said that when he arrived Sinkovich had one man, and he found another under a hedge. He arrested the two men, who gave statements saying that they had run short of benzine and that they had tried to get some for themselves, intending to pay the next day. He searched for Hoey, but could not find him that night, and arrested him at Riverhead next day. Hoey, in his statement, had said that he had nothing to do with the attempt. "Their explanation is quite probable," said Mr. Noble. "The shooting certainly gives the case a sensational touch, but I don't think this man should be allowed to shoot like that. If they are given a chance, Mr. Rudge says that he will give them all employment." "We must put a stop to these thefts," said Mr. Hunt, in sentencing accused to three months' gaol. Detective-Sergeant O'Sullivan mentioned that in the last two or three years Sinkovich had lost over 700 gallons of benzine.