Youths Decided To “Shoot It Out”

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30857, 16 September 1965, Page 3

Youths Decided To “Shoot It Out”

(New Zealand Press Association)

HAMILTON, September 15

A tribute to Te Kowhai residents who helped the police to round up six armed youths last week-end was paid by Detective SeniorSergeant J. G. Long in the Hamilton’s Children’s Court this morning.

Three of the youths, all over 15 years, were sentenced to Borstal and the other three returned to the care of the Child Welfare superintendent. “It was the help of residents that undoubtedly led to an early arrest, and there is no telling what would have happened had they been longer at large,” he said. Mr Long said the youths had agreed to “shoot it out” with the police and kill the police dog. This was agreed before they had broken into a sports store and stolen rifles and ammunition. The six were charged with breaking and entering Gammins Sports Depot in Ward

street, Hamilton, with intent to commit a crime.

All pleaded guilty and elected summary (rial. The six had agreed to abscond from Melville Boys’ home last Saturday and had later broken into the sports shop, Mr Long said. Some kept watch while others threw a rock through the display window, waited to see if they had been noticed, and then entered the store.

They took six rifles, 5000 rounds of ammunition,, binoculars. knives, and £8 in cash. The goods were worth £239 Is 6d.

Mr Long said property worth £6l 9s 9d had not yet been recovered.