A COOL POLICEMAN

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 300, 13 September 1921, Page 9

A COOL POLICEMAN

ORDERS THIEVES TO HANDCUFF 'THEMSELVES. . Covering two/men with his revolver in front of the Chatswood Bowling Club’s premises (Sydney), at 1.30 a.in. on August 25, Constable Miller prevented them from escaping. Then, throwing, them his handcuffs, he told them to put them on. They did so. The policeman, by calling loudly, awoke Charleg Hickson, the caretaker of the club,, who assisted him to take the embarrassed strangers to the Chatswood Police-Station. The affair caused considerable excitement at Chatswood when the. particulars of ’the arrest of the mon became known. For some time bowling green premises throughout the metropolitan area, have been receiving the attention of thieves who have made some big hauls from them, and .recently Superintendent Nolan and divisional officers have had constables paying special attention after dark to these buildings In the Chatswood arrest Constable Miller was opposite the howling club’s premises in Gordon Road when he heard an unusual noise. Crossing tho road to the building he tried the front door and found it secure, but going to the side he noticed a window had been forced open. He looked across the green but could e-eo no one. On walking towards some bushes in the front of tho building, however, he noticed ' two men crouching low. Drawing his revolver, the policeman stepped up to them when they stood up and were about to run to the gate. "Stop, or i’ll fire,’’ he called as they were beginning to move. They turned and faced him.

Pulling "the bracelets” from under his coat with the left hand, while he kept ' the revolver in his right hand steadied on the intruders, he tossed the irons towards them.

"Now, put those on,” demanded Constable Miller, and no one could have been more surprised than he was when one of the men stooped, and, picking up the handcuffs, adjusted them on himself and his companion. As the men stated they Would hot walk, Constable Miller called loudly for assistance, and Charles Hickson, the caretaker, who was asleep in his quarters at the back of the club house, ran out. A start was thereupon mode for the police station, a quarter of a mile away. After some difficulty the two men were landed there. Subsequently it was found that cigars, cigarettes, articles belonging to members, and some money were missing from the clubhouse. The two men were taken to the North Sydney Police Station, where charges were preferred against them.