GANG ASSAULTS CONSTABLES

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32099, 22 September 1969, Page 16

GANG ASSAULTS CONSTABLES

(Nsdo Zealand Preet Association)

AUCKLAND, September 21. Two police constables, outnumbered about 10 to one by a gang, were assaulted outside the South Pacific Hotel, Waiwera, last night.

By jostling and overwhelming the policemen, the gang freed a youth who had been arrested for assaulting one of the officers, Constable A. White, of Takapuna. Two beer bottles narrowly missed the other officer, Constable W. J. Davey, also of Takapuna. Chief Inspector A. G. Berriman, officer in charge of the Takapuna police, said the constables were asked to help the licensee of the hotel, Mr W. P. G. Ladd, eject the gang, said to be members of the Hell’s Angels motorcycle group, from the premises. The gang of about 20, including three girls, left the hotel about 7 p.m. The incident occurred at the hotel entrance and Constable White had two buttons torn off his tunic. At one stage he was thrown to the ground. By crowding the constables, the gang freed the arrested youth, who then ran off. The police arrested a 19-year-old youth in Auckland later last night. He will appear in the Auckland Magis-

trate's Court tomorrow on charges of obstructing and assaulting a police constable at Waiwera, and using obscene language.