TWO MEN CHARGED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 141, 17 June 1935, Page 8

TWO MEN CHARGED.

IN BED WHEN ARRESTED. POLICE CLOSE IX OX HOTEL. ! (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) BLEXHEIM, this day. The appearance in the Picton Police Court this morning of Albert William Gauntlett, aged about 30, and Ralph Crosby (about 25), the latter beim; an Australian, was the culmination of one of the most dramatic pursuits of suspected burglars in the history of Xew Zealand. The men, who were charged with breaking and enterin? the premises of Hay's, Ltd., Christchurch, were remanded to appear at Christchurch on June 25. Immediately the Christchurch burglary was investigated, the police became interested in the journey of <i Christchurch taxi-cab, which left the city for the north on Saturday morning. By telephone arid telegraph all police stations along the route from Christchurch to Blenheim were communicated with, and as the taxi passed each station the officer in charge immediately reported its progress, so that at all times the authorities knew exactly where :t was. In anticipation of the taxi making for Picton the police station there was advised, and members of the Blenheim force were strategically poste-l round Blenhe'm so as to pick up the fugitives' trail if. necessary. Serareant Smythe and one constable proceeded to Pifton, where with the Picton police they witnessed, the arrival of the taxi at 8.30 p.m. Tt was evident that the occupants of the car had anticipated connecting with the Tamnhine for Wellington, but she had sailed in the morning. Finally the men booked in at Oxley's Hotel, which was kept under close observation by the police once the quarry had gone to rest.

Detectives Halcrow and Herron, after travelling all night, were joined at Blenheim "by Constable Healy and arrived at Picton at 8.30 yesterday morning. The police party, now in considerable strength, then * closed on the hotel. The wanted men were still in bed and no difficulty was experienced in effecting their arrest. A large sum of money was found in the room.

The suspects, under escort, are returning to Christchurch to-day.