HOUSE THIEF.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 100, 29 April 1940, Page 8

HOUSE THIEF.

YOUNG MAN CAUGHT. ADMITS MANY CHARGES. COMMITTED FOR SENTENCE. Arrested by Detective W. Mahood at the Avondale racecourse on April 3, a farm hand named Arthur Thayer Close (20), appeared in the Police Court today, before Mr. J. Morlinjr, S.M., on 23 charges involving housebreaking and theft. There were 10 charges of breaking and entering dwellings in Auckland and suburbs, and stealing clothing, watches, cigarettes, shoes and other sxticle3 of a total value of £31 17/6, and sums of money totalling £29 13/2, another charge of theft, and five of breaking and entering dwellings with intent to commit a crime. He wafl further charged with unlawfully trespassing on Avondale racecourse when a race meeting was in progress. Mr. D. Williams represented the accused. Detective-Sergeant McHugh prosecuted. The evidence showed that the offences occurred during the months of February. March and April, several burglaries being committed at Devonport. Auckland and in the Avondaie district, aiso that accused entered houses by unlocked doors during the absence of the occupants. Close pleaded guilty to all charges, and on 22 of them he was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. On the summary charge of trespassing on the racecourse he was convicted and disi charged.