A CLEVER RUSE

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 135, 4 March 1929, Page 15

A CLEVER RUSE

YOUTH ESCAPES FROM POLICE CELLS RECAPTURED after two WEEKS Dominion Special Service. Auckland, March 2. After a fortnight’s liberty gained through a daring escape from the cells of the Central Police Station, John William Osborne, aged 17, was recaptured by detectives in the early hours of yesterday morning in unsual circumstances. It is now revealed that Osborne effected liis escape by a cleverly conceived ruse Whereby he completely turned the tables on the police and managed to make his way out of the station while the sergeant and constable were left locked by him in the cell in which he had been placed. It was not until about an hour and a half later that their plight was made known and they were released, but in the meantime the former prisoner had disappeared completely. Constant watch was kept throughout the city and suburbs. The youth was located sleeping soundly in a large cupboard wardrobe in an unoccupied house in Epsom. Osborne was arrested on February 13 on a charge of breaking and entering the house of Robert Arthur Dowell, of Mount Roskill, and stealing money and jewellery valued at £75. He was taken to the Central Police Station that evening and in view of his youth certain piinor considerations were shown him in :hiB retention overnight. He was placed in a cell and was still there when the evening rounds were made by the station officers. At 1 o’clock the following morning a sergeant and constable made the early morning calls at the cells in order to see that everything was in order. The door of Osborne’s cell was bolted but not locked, as it had been since he was -placed inside. The two were considerably surprised to find on opening the door that apparently no one was inside. After peering in they both entered to inspect the cell more closely. A second later they turned to find that the heavy door had been closed quietly behind them. On trying the door it was found to be bolted on the outside. About an hour and. a half later the two “prisoners” attracted the attention of the watch house staff and they were released from their confinement. Subsequent inquiries showed that Osborne had reached through the grill in the door and upshot the bolt, so letting himself out. He then hid nearby and upon seeing the men safely inside his own cell he had slipped out of his hiding place and made sure that they would not follow him.*' He then made his way out of the station through the backyard, and by the time the. alarm was given he had gained a considerable start upon his pursuers. " Osborne was returned to the police station cells. He appeared before Mr. F. H. Levien in the Magistrate’s Court on the original charge. In asking for a remand, Detective-Sergeant Holmes said it was possible that further charges would be preferred in. the near future. Accused was remanded. ? :