Two men on burglary charges

Press, 29 April 1981, Page 4

Two men on burglary charges

Evidence that detectives arrived at a flat where Barry John Wiki-and a friend alleged to be. Lewis Mihinui, were sorting and listing a large quantity of clothing for eventual sale was given in the District Court yesterday. The two men appeared on two separate charges of the burglary of clothing shops, two of receiving stolen clothing. and one of theft of a car. The receiving charges are alternative to the charges of burglary. Wiki, aged 27, and Mihinui. aged 31, both unemployed, have elected trial by jury, on the charges. The charges against each comprise two of burglary,., of the shops of Linwood Fashions, Ltd, in Linwood Avenue, and of Avenue Drapery, in Acheson Avenue; the" alternative charges of - receiving from unknown persons a quantity of women’s .clothing valued at $649.40, and women’s and children’s clothing valued at $3963. when they knew they had been stolen; and theft of a car valued at $lOOO, belonging to Arnold Henry Austin. The alleged offences oc-

curred between March II and 23: After depositions and statements of evidence of 10 prosecution witnesses were heard. Messrs M. B. Hayes and V. C. Empson. Justices of the Peace, committed the two for trial in the High Court on all charges. Each was remanded in custody pending trial. Detective-Sergeant J. Ellete prosecuted and Mr S. C. Barker appeared for both defendants.

Mihinui was also remanded until May 5, without plea, on charges of theft of a bag and clothing valued at $250.81, from Farmers and Haywrights store yesterday morning and of delivering cigarettes and a match to a prisoner in police custody on April 22. The theft charge related to an alleged offence while .Mihinui was said to have been on his way to Court yesterday morning. He did not appear at the start of the case and an arrest warrant was applied for but this was withdrawn when Mihinui appeared later, handcuffed, and under police arrest.

Evidence of burglaries of .their premises occurring, and large quantities of clothing taken, was given by Charles Roy Mclntyre, proprietor of Linwood Fashions. Ltd. and by Russell James Ede. proprietor of Avenue Drapery. Mr Mclntyre said assorted womens clothing valued at $4898 was taken from his shop. Evidence of Arnold Henry Austin, a labourer, was that his car was stolen on March 19. When he saw it at the police station on March 24 it had been repainted and had different number plates fitted. Colleen Shirley Benson, a housewife, gave evidence that at 7 a.m. on March 23 she went to the garage of her flat and saw nine rubbish bags under a blanket. She later took the bags to the house and emptied the contents, which comprised babies’ and women’s clothing. She realised it was stolen clothing because it looked “hot.” While she was putting the clothing back into the bags Wiki and a friend arrived. Wiki then tipped out the bags and began counting the contents.

Wiki told the witness the property was his. He said the clothing had to be sold. He did not say where he got it.

Wiki counted the items of clothing and his friend, a Maori, who she was not certain was Mihinui, wrote down a list of the items.

While they were preparing the lists, detectives arrived at the door about 10 a.m. When she saw from upstairs that it was detectives, Wiki said not to walk round or open the doors.

Wiki mentioned the case of clothing in the car and his friend then left, and did not return.

Before leaving Mrs Benson’s house, over the back fence Wiki told her to sell the clothing and they would telephone her later. The detectives returned an hour later, at 2 p.m., and asked if she had seen Wiki, and if they could look through the house.

Detective R. W. Thurston said inquiries were still being made to find the owner of the number plates fitted to the car found with the clothing outside Mrs Benson’s flat.

Detective R. G. Palmer gave evidence of interviewing Mihinui, who he. said told him he. had written out the lists of clothing shown to him by a man in a hotel. (Proceeding)