Plane searched for robber

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33963, 2 October 1975, Page 1

Plane searched for robber

A rumour that the gunman who robbed the Spreydon Post Office of $BO9 on Tuesday was aboard an N.A.C. Boeing 737 yesterday had reporters throughout the country and Australia clamouring for the story.

The “story,” however, turned out to be what reporters call a “fizzer.”

«obody is sure where the rumour originated but soon afterwards the New Zealand Press Association had asked for inuuiries to be made in Christchurch.

Two private radio stations, an Australian media organisation and Radio New Zealand contacted the Wellington police, seeking information.

The reports of what was even suggested to be a hijacking were first received in Christchurch about 6 p.m.

Local reporters met strong denials and disbelief from NAC. and airport officials, and the police, who all said they knew nothing about it.

A later Press Association message from its Wellington agent said that the police had searched the aircraft at Wellington Airport but the man was not aboard. The aircraft was parked 200 metres away from the terminal building while the search was made.

A telephone call to the Wellington Central Police Station from "The Press” last night established that the rumour began when Wellington police made a routine check of an N.A.C. Boeing 737 from Christchurch. Like police at all major airports they were watching flights from Christchurch in case the gunman tried to leave the city. The plane was parked a short distance from the disembarking point and four detectives and two uniformed policemen walked through the plane. The passengers were then taken the short distance to the terminal in a bus provided by N.A.C.

Meanwhile, Radio New Zealand said that the plane had been cordoned off, and that a group of policemen wearing the uniforms of airport workers approached the plane after it had been taken to a “little-used part of the tarmac.” The report said that after a time the passengers were allowed off and were checked before being taken to the terminal