Suspect punter returns $20,000

Press, 25 May 1989, Page 34

Suspect punter returns $20,000

PA Auckland Detectives say a punter has returned $20,000 he stole from the Avondale Jockey Club. Thev say he had tried to cash $47,299 at the club's meeting last Friday night, but had obtained $20,000. The next day he is alleged to have tried to obtain $15,000 at the Canterbury Jockey Club’s meeting at Riccarton. At the Auckland Trotting Club's meeting at Alexandra Park last Saturday night the man is said to have failed to obtain $BOOO. Avondale fraud squad detectives are keen to meet the man whose methods have got him past bank security checks and racing club credit procedures. They say he used fraudulently-obtained cheque books and a clever authorisation procedure to obtain the cash. Detective Karen McQuinlan said she did not want to release details about the “elaborate scheme.” The offender is described as a slim Eurasian, who wears glasses and dresses well in suits and ties. Police believe the man used an accomplice to pick up two cheque books from two branches of an Auckland bank last Friday morning. The cheque books were handed over without the real account holders’ permission. “We can’t work out how he got the personal details from the account holders in order to obtain the cheque books,” Detective McQuinlan said. Punters at racing clubs may set up a deposit account from which they can draw during a meeting. “This person had authorisation, which said his cheques were valid, and that’s how he obtained the money. "The authorisation is usually given to trainers and breeders.” Yesterday afternoon an envelope was handed in at the Avondale Jockey Club by a well-dressed man who asked that the package be given to the club secretary. The package contained $20,000 and a letter which will be examined by forensic experts. Detective McQuinlan said it was unusual for the offender to return the money, considering the planning that had gone into the scheme. “This venture is very elaborate and that’s why we want to catch him.”