TWO SUSPECTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 239, 9 October 1934, Page 9

TWO SUSPECTS.

BURGLARY CHARGES.

A TRIP TO WELLINGTON

DETECTIVES "WENT, TOO.

The story of a train journey made to Wellington recently by two Auckland detectives was told before Mr. Wyvern Wilson, S.M., in the Police Court late yesterday afternoon during the hearing of a series of charges arising out of burglaries committed in a block of offices in Elliott Street on September 15. George Henry Trillo, aged 28, a baker, and Richard William Henry Ashton, aged 33. a seaman, were charged with breaking and entering the warehouse of G. S. Amos and Co., Ltd., and stealing six pairs of socks and a case opener, valued at fl 1/; with breaking and entering the warehouse of Cooke and Co. and stealing three bottles of liquor and a corkscrew, valued at £2 11/; with breaking and entering the warehouse of W. V. Robinson and stealing a pinch bar valued at 3/9; and with breaking and entering the warehouse of W. C. Beaumont, Ltd., with intent to commit a crime. Accused were represented by Mr. Sullivan. A large number of witnesses were called, and the hearing of evidence concerning the breaking of locks and the disappearance of various articles occupied over two hours. The Government analyst, Mr. K. M. Griffin, gave evidence concerning the finding of traces of brass on a ease opener and a bar. The brass could have got on the instruments if they had been used to force the locks produced. A fingerprint expert, Constable Francis, said that he was of the opinion that a fingerprint on a bottle of apricot brandy was identical with that of the middle finger of, Trillo's left hand, as taken at M*unt Eden prison. Detective Davis' said that on the night of September 1,3 seven different warehouses were broken into. Ownership of Case Denied. Evidence of being on the Auckland railway station platform on the evening of September 21 in company with Detective Hayes just before the departure of the Limited express for Wellington was given by Detective Snedden. Witness saw both accused sitting together in a second-class carriage. In the rack above accused's heads was an attache case, which was later found to contain liquor. Also in the rack was a glass and a packet of sandwiches. Trillo admitted that the sandwiches belonged to them, but denied any knowledge of the attache case or the glass. "We travelled to Wellington with the accused," continued the detective. In reply to questioning, Ashton told witness that he had two suitcases checked through to Wellington. On arrival at Wellington the two accused accompanied the detectives to the Wellington detective office. In one of the suitcases was found a sugar bag containing a case opener, a long jemmy, a hacksaw and a pair of old leather gloves. Ashton explained that lie had been given the articles by a man in Auckland with a request that they should be taken through to Dunediii. Accused were then charged with the theft of the liquor and remanded to Auckland. Trillo had £18 14/9 in his possession, and Ashton had £19 19/9. In reply to questioning, the accused stated that several pairs of socks in their possession had been purchased from a man in an Auckland hotel for 1/ a pair.

Witness gave evidence as to handing over to the Government analyst jemmies, padlocks and other implements which he received from Detective Davis. Detective Hayes said he found in an attache case belonging to Ashton the iron bar and a case opener, also a pair of gloves (produced). Accused pleaded not guilty and were committed for trial.