AN ALLEGED BURGLAR

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 256, 28 July 1927, Page 16

AN ALLEGED BURGLAR

FIGHT WITH POLICEMAN LABOURER committed for TRIAL The story of an exciting struggle said to have taken place in a city boot factory on the mgnt oi auiy lb was told in the Magistrate's court yesterday, when Artnur narold Anderson, alias Harold Arthur Anderson, a labourer (aged 33;, appeared on a charge ot breaKiug and entering the premises of Joseph staples in Lguiont btreet between April 24 and 25. and stealing boots and shoes valued at £B5. Accused, who was represented by Mr. AV. E. Leicester, was also charged with breaking and entering the same factory between June 11 and June 14 and stealing boots and leather soles valued at £4l. He was also charged with breaking and entering the same premises on the night of July •16 with intent to commit a crime therein. ■ The first witness called was Joseph Staples, who identified boots and shoes in question as hia own property. A couple of pairs of them, he said, bad. been stolen before the dates mentioned from his factory. Staples stated that entry to his premises had been gained through a -fanlight. Constable Bradley, of the Taranaki Street Station, said that prior to the night of July 16 he had been hiding in the factory for about a month for the purpose of trying to catch a burglar. Shortly after 10 p.m. on Saturday, July 16, be heard someone moving in the yard outside, and a few moments later someone got through the fan light. The place was in darkness at the time, witness being concealed with a Mr. Fisk, who was helping him to keep watch. After the person who got through the fanlight had been inside a few minutes and- had opened the store-room door, where the boots and shoes were kept, witness flashed his torch upon accused and told him to put up his hands. Instead of doing this, however Anderson picked up his coat, which was lying on a box beside him, end put it on. “He then lunged forward at me,” said Constable Bradley. “So I stepped back, and as he came at me again 1 hit him on the head with my baton. We then closed and went down in a' struggle.” Witness went cn to say that while the two of them were fighting Mr. Fisk was holding the torch. Witness managed to get one handcuff on Anderson’s right wrist, but the latter broke away and bolted towards the door. He was overtaken, but after another struggle got clear again. Witness, who had hit Anderson three times on the head with his baton, then clashed in pursuit of accused who ran down Taranaki Street and disappeared up Jessie Street into an open gateway. The constable caught tip with the man and they fought in the yard. Some civilians then came on the scene, but even though they were asked to assist witness they did not do so. The constable said that after trying to put the other handcuff on accused he went for assistance, leaving Anderson bleeding in the yard. When he returned, however, accused had gone. Mr. H. Fisk gave corroborative evidence. “When Constable Bradley asked Anderson who he was,” said Fisk, “accused replied 'that he was one of the bosses.* ” Detective McClennan said that, in company with Detectives Murray and Bayliss’,'he called at No. 9 Jessie Street at 1.45 p.m. on July 17. Accused was then wearing a hat, which, on being) taken off, revealed five fresh wounds on his head. Anderson, however, denied that he had. been found in the warehouse, and said that the cuts on his head had been obtained in a drunken brawl with some men. He then searched the house and found nothin" in Anderson’s room, but on a cupboard on the landing outside his door he discovered a suitcase containing boots and shoes. Accused denied they were his "When I asked him what he hnd done with the handcuff on his wrist.” added Detective McClennan, “he told me lie had thrown it in the sea early that morning.” Detective N. W. Bayliss gave evidence as to seeing the fresh cuts on the head of accused, who denied knowing anything about the struggle in the warehouse at all.

Anderson, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, was committed to the Supreme Court for trial at the next sessions. On the application of Mr. W. R. Leicester, he was again allowed bail in the sum of £206 and two sureties of £lOO each, the condition being that ho reports daily to the police.