SHOT BY A BURGLAR.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 473, 3 April 1909, Page 5

SHOT BY A BURGLAR.

A SYDNEY HOUSEHOLDER'S EXCITING . , " TIIIE. " ' NEW ZEALAND CONSTABLE'S BRAVERY ■■ BT TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.) Sydney, April l. Russell Sinclair, a resident of North Sydney, disturbed an intruder in his.house.- A desperate struggle followed. The 'robber, who was armed with'a revolver, fired.twice', and seriously wounded Sinclair in the groin. Tho robber was arrested after an exciting chase, dnring , which ho fired several shots at his pursuers, and inflicted nasty injuries on a constable's head by battering it with the butt of the revolver; According to the police, Sinclair's asBailant has been recognised by finger-prints as John Frederick Crook, or Oroke, a recent arrival from New Zealand. There are several convictions against him. Constable Gates, who showed such.pluck, and who was badly handled while arresting i-the prisoner, is also a New Zealander. Gates received immediate promotion as a reward for his braver)'. [Crook, who is a seaman, 23 years of age commenced his career of crime in New Zealand in 19M, nhen ho was sentenced to ninu months' imprisonment on each of two charges of breaking and entering the drapery premises of Messrs. Warnockj r.nd Adkin and stealing goods valued at. £i(l. In December, 1905, lie was senHirSl oi? 12 imprisonment on each of ° £ e£t ' , and in thß fe'lowine month ho was sentenced to six months' im pnsonment for escaping from custody.] 1