TELLER’S MURDER

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 99, 21 January 1926, Page 7

TELLER’S MURDER

4_ FORMER NEW ZEALANDER COMMITTED FOR TRIAL

(Rec. January 20, 8.35 p.m.) Melbourne, January 20. Douglas Robertson, arrested in Sydney on suspicion of being concerned in the shooting of William Almeida, manager of the Hampton Bank, was charged with murder and committed for trial.

A statement alleged to have been made, by Robertson was put in as •evidence. It stated that Robertson is a native of New Zealand and came to Australia about sixteen months ago, purely for a holiday. On arrival ill Melbourne he was unfortunate in making the acquaintance of Perkins. When Robertson said he desired to return to New Zealand Perkins asked if he would like to take £2OO or £3OO back with him, and outlined a scheme for robbing a teller, who, Perkins said, was short of money and would not resist. Robertson agreed. He said he and Perkins went to the bank, Perkins going in first. When Robertson entered he saw Perkins pointing a revolver at the teller. According to plan he made for the partition. He heard a deafening. report and saw the teller fall. Perkins jumped over the counter, and Robertson asked what he had done. Perkins replied: “Get a move on. Get the money and get out.” Robertson grabbed the money, ran to a waiting motor-car, and eventually got home. Later lie read of the teller’s'death and the arrest of Perkins, and remained in hiding.—Press Assn-