SHOTS FIRED IN CHASE

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32667, 24 July 1971, Page 18

SHOTS FIRED IN CHASE

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, July 23

Three shots were fired when an armed man was chased one mile and a half after an alleged attempted robbery in Cuba Street, Wellington, this evening.

A man entered the shop of Mall Jewellers, Ltd, about 9 p.m. and is said to have demanded jewellery. Witnesses allege the man in the shop had a sawn-off shotgun. Before any jewellery was handed over the man made off. He ran into the mall where two shots were fired. A group of young people chased the man along the mail into Ghuznee Street, Vivian Street, and into Marion Street. In Marion Street a shot hit a car which one of the pursuers was standing behind. A taxi joined in the chase and followed a man into Pirie and Brougham streets. In Elizabeth Street a man was seen to hide behind a garage.. After the police arrived, a man came from behind the garage and was arrested. Police later took possesion of a sawn-off shotgun. A man will appear in court tomorrow in connection with the incident. Detective Superintendent B. B. Bevege, of the Wellington C. 1.8. said last night the police were indebted to the public for the first-class job they had done in helping the police.

AUCKLAND THEFTS In Auckland thieves stole diamond and sapphire rings worth more than $12,000 in

two raids today—one at the peak of Friday-night shopping. A woman’s diamond solitaire ring, said to be the only one of its kind in New Zealand, and worth $6OOO, was stolen from the Diamond Boutique, Ltd. 100 Queen Street. Detective Inspector B. F. Scott said the ring was taken from a revolving display stand in the front window of the shop between 9.15 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. In the second theft, three trays of diamond and sapphire rings were stolen from James Pascoe, Ltd, in Queen Street, between 6.30 p.m. and 7.15 p.m. The trays contained 42 rings, each valued at about $l5O.