BAG-SNATCHING

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 55, 29 November 1923, Page 4

BAG-SNATCHING

UNABLE TO GET WORK, SO RESOLVED TO STEAL.

John Olson, a well-set-up labourer, 21 years of agp, was committed to the Supreme Court yesterday by Mr. E. Page, SAL, in the Magistrate's Court, for sentence on two charges (1) that he did steal from Fanny Hayes a leather purse, two keys, and Is. Id. in money, of the total value of 10s.; (2) that he did steal from Daisy Kneale Mark a. handbag, a boy’s shirt, and a number of Littons, of the total value of £1 Is.

Fanny Hayes gave evidence that she and a friend were going to Kelbnrn when Olsen asked tliem the way to Mitchel Itotwn. On their way back they again met him, and as he said he had not found his way she offered to point it out to him. At the ecijicr of Irvine Street l?e snatched the contents of her bag, and ran away. Tho next morning she saw him again in Aro Street, and pointed him out to the same friend, who followed him. She had no doubt that Olsen was tlie man, though he locked different now that ho was clean. Daisy Kneale Mark stated that Olsen stopped her in Raroa Road and asked her the way to Northland. As she was pointing with one hand ho snatched her bag from’ the other and ran up the road. Accused had made a statement to the police, admitting the thefts, in tho course of which he said that he had left home a fortnight before, and had been sleeping out, or surreptitiously in the family woolshed. During the day he had looked for work, but. had lieen unable to get any, and had formed tho resolve to steal ladies’ bags. Olsen pleaded guilty to the charges, and was committed for sentence.