HAUL OF £1197.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 3000, 19 December 1935, Page 8

HAUL OF £1197.

PASCOE BURGLARY.

COCKBURN FOR TRIAL.

SECOND SUSPECT CHARGED

ALLEGED SALE OF GOLD.

The second man arrested in connection ■with the big burglary at James Pascoe's jewellery warehouse in August last appeared before Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M., in tlie Police Court to-day. He was Kobert Cockburn, aged 20, miner and labourer, and he was charged with breaking and entering the shop of James I'ascoe on August 20 and stealing jewellery, precious stones, gold oddments and £5 in cash, of a total value of £1197 8/6. He was also charged with stealing a cycle valued at £9 on December 15, 1934. Senior Detective Hall prosecuted and accused was represented by Ml. K. C. Aekins. Safes Opened. Alfred Pascoe, manager for James Pascoe's establishment at 202, Karangaliape Road, said he securely locked up tlie premises on the night of August 19 and left three lights burning, these being visible from Karangaliape Road. On entering the shop the following morning witness said he found the showcases in a state of disorder. The safe had been blown open in the accountant's office. It was turned on its side and covered with carpets and rugs from the floor. A large safe in the workroom was found to have been opened with a key, the existence of which witness was not {(ware. The previous night the safe contained jewellery, precious stones and bar gold, all of which was missing. Entrance had been gained to the premises by an upstairs window in-the workshop in the rear of the building. The glass had been broken and a fin steel bar cut and pulled out. Tiiis had been sawn through with a hacksaw which was found behind a clock. An examination .of the shop showed that the value of the missing, property was £1197 S/6. Some Gold Identified. John William Atkin, factory manager for James Pascoe, who said he had been in the jewellery business for 50 years, said he could positively identify one piece of gold (produced) as having been stolen from the premises. Two large bars of gold were of the size witness used and were similar to gold he used. Six rolled pieces were of the same gauge nsed in witness' work. This gold was in the saf<£ which had been absolutely stripped. There would be a quantity of gold, platinum and silver filings in dust mftssing from the premises. "I Might See You Again." , A watchmaker and jeweller at 10, .Victoria Street, Auckland, Victor Impey; said he knew the accused Cockburn. Accused entered, witness' shop between 2.30 and 3 p.m. .on December ,5 with another man. Cockburn'. offered witness some bars of gold. for sale. ■ The gold, wrapped in brown paper, .was taken by accused from his pocket, "I asked him what he wanted for the gold," ' said witness. "He said he wanted £15, but I offered £10 and he agreed to* accept - this for/the- nine pieces. I asked ; him -if the gold was all right, and he replied that it was 0.K." ■ \ . Impey said accused gave his name as "McDonaldson," of "Paul Street," and witness entered these particulars, together with-the price paid, in his buying book.Accused said, "I might see you again. Would you know me?" Cockburn removed his hat. Witness told him he would know him again. Senior Detective Hall: How long was he in your shop?— About 15 or 20 min,utes. The other man remained all this time. Both left the shop • together. Witness said Detective Hayes called at his shop on the afternoon-of December G and examinee* the buying book, and obtained particulars as to who had sold the gold and also in respect of the man who accompanied-the seller of the gold. Detective: Hayes, took possession of the gold. •On the morning of December 8 witness said he went to the detective office where he identified a man now known as Frederick Griffiths. He was the man who came with accused to the shop. Witness ~ attended an identification parade on Dec-ember 9, and from a number of men he picked accused as the man who sold htm tlie gold. He had no doubt that Cockburn was the man. Senior Detective Hall: Which pocket did he take the gold from ?—From his right outside coat pocket. Government Analyst Called. The Government Analyst at Auckland, Kenneth Massey Griffin, said lie received from Detective Hayes on December 7, two envelopes containing dust from two pockets. These lie 'produced. He analysed the exhibits and said that the dust from the outside coat pocket contained numerous yellow metallic particles. He separated these and found them to . contain gold alloy such as would be found in jeweller's residue. The waistcoat pocket contained several yellow metallic particles, which under the microscope appeared to be similar to the metal found in the outside pocket. They were too small to be separated arid tested. /; "'."..1 Pockets Dusted Out. Detective-Sergeant A. G. McHugli said that while in the company of Detective Hayes on December 7 he arrested Cockburn in Hobson Street on a charge of stealing a cycle valued at £9. At the watchliouse Detective Hayes took Cockburn's coat off and dusted out the contents Qf the pockets on to a piece of white paper. Witness drew accused's attention to small yellow specks of gold among the dust. Asked if lie had any explanation to offer about it, Cockburn said, "Well, I'm surprised at that, Mr. McHugli." Cockburn demanded that witness should place the dust in a sealed envelope. This was at once done in his presence. On Docember 9, after Cockburn had been lined up with 11 other men in the yard outside the Police Court and identified by Impey as the man who sold 9 pieces of gold, Detective-Sergeant McHugh said to accused, "Well, Bob, you have been identified as the man who sold 9 pieces of Pascoe's jewellery, for £10 on December 5. Have you "ot .any explanation to offer about it?" Cockburn said he knew nothing about the matter. Sent for Trial. Detective J. Hayes also gave evidence, as did other witnesses, in respect to the charge concerning the cycle. Accused pleaded liot guilty to both charges, reserved his defence, and. was committed to the Supreme Court for trial.