METHODICAL CRIMES

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 290, 3 September 1931, Page 2

METHODICAL CRIMES

Young Burglar’s Coolness

INSTINCTS OF CRIMINAL Dominion Special Service. New Plymouth, September 2. The mystery of nine burglaries at Eltham and Stratford was solved when Constable Townsend and the nightwatchman of Eltham arrested a youth aged about 16, between midnight and 1 a.m. on August 19 last at Eltham. The youth appeared before the Children’s Court and pleaded guilty to stealing from premises three rifles and several thousands of’ rounds of ammunition, and a wide variety of articles, of a total value of £22.

Sergeant Henry stated that all the instincts of a criminal had been shown. At one shop the youth had climbed through a window which he had broken the previous night. He had found the key in-an inside door locked, but, using a pocket knife, had managed to turn the key. and push it through on the inside of the door to the floor. He had then used a bent piece of wire to drag the key through the crack underneath the door, which he opened. Throughout the whole series of visits to various premises the boy had shown considerable coolness, said the sergeant.

The youth had had also in his possession a key which would open the door of a building and enable the use of a bicycle which enabled visits to Stratford. The bicycle was returned in every case before daylight. “There is nothing smart, or glorious in this sort of thing.” said Mr. R. W. Tate, S.M., addressing the youth, who was severely admonished. An order was made dealing with him in a manner commensurate with the seriousness of the offence.