DARING ROBBBERIES.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 137, 9 December 1908, Page 7

DARING ROBBBERIES.

OUTRAGES IN THE CITY. TWO ARRESTS MADE. Two flagrant cases of assault ani robbery— first on Thorndon-quay, and later near the junction of Ghuznee-street with the Terrace — on Monday night were reported in yesterday's Post. About 10.30 p.m. Mr. George Reid, fireman, while passing, along Thorndon-quay was gripped about -the throat by a man near the tram sheds. Instantly three confederates came out of hiding and robbed the helpless victim of the assault. Threequarters of an hour later a similar outrage took place at the top of Ghuzneestreet, when Mr. P. Bennett, of Ballinger and Co., Victoria-street, was robbed of everything of value that he had in his possession. In each case the tneii got away scot free. Just before midnight a young man named Knud Christian Jorgensen was returning home down Ellice-street, after spending the evening with friends. At the corner of Ellice and Brougham streets he saw four men, well-dressed and of respectable appearance, standing about. Three of them were on one side of the footpath, and one on the other. Mr. Jorgensen took the middle course and fell into the trap. Just as he had passed through the gauntlet he felt a pair of hands grip him round the neck, and immediately his arms were pinioned to his sides. He was helpless in the clutches of the men, who "went through" his pockets, taking everythiig, watch and chain, sovereign-case, matches, keys, and handkerchief. Even his pipe was snatched from his mouth. Not content with robbing, one of the four lifted his fist and punched the helpless victim in the mouth. Mr. Jorgensen tried to raise his hand, and one of the men recommended another punch. One of the gang, however, demurred at this, saying, "It's all over now; let him go." The four then left their victim prostrate, and disappeared along Broughamstreet. Mr. Jorgensen went back to the house he had just left, and with three others sot out to look for tTie gang, but there were no traces. Like Mr. Bennett, the victim of the third outrage, he is still suffering from his rough handling. BEFORE THE COURT. Yesterday morning Mr. Jorgensen recognised a man whom he- thought to bo one of his assailants going into thd Albion Hotel, Courtonay -place. A policeman came along and later Detec* tives Cassells and' Connolly. They entered the hotel and Detective Oaksells arrested one man. Detective Connolly had to chase his quasrry into Cambridgeterrace, where he mad© the arrest with the help of Mr. Jorgensen. In order not to faa-mper the plans of the police in the direction of further investigations both arreste, which. tf«er© reported to The Post yesterday afternoon, were withheld from, publication. The two prisoners, William Neal and John M'Cormick, both of whom bear aliases, appeared before Mr. Riddoll, S.M., this morning charged with assaulting and' robbing on the 7th December one Kund Christian Jorgensen «i one watch and chain, one sovereign case, minor articles, and a sum in money of £2 Bs, of a total value of £4 , 10s 6d. The accused were further charged w ith assaulting and robbipg, on the sth December, John Corich of los, and A. J. Black of 4s. In these cases it is alleged that th© assault took place near the Te Aro Baths. Black went to the assistance of Corich, and had to submit to a similar outrage. He had imagined tho struggle was an ordinary fight against odds. Neal and M'Cormick are young men. of middle height and : sturdy build. They appeared in court this morning dressed, in dark suite, but were collarkss. Neal is slightly taller than M'Cormick, and much darker, with black, ck»Ee-cropped hair and a small black moustache. M'Cbfmick is clean-shaven, and has bushy fair hair and Wuish eyes. Both prisoners, on \the application of Chief -Detective M'Grath, were remanded until the 16th December. Neal asked for bail, which his Worship fixI ed at- £100 in each case, with one surety of £100. ANOTHER ROBBERY AND AN ARREST. There was a further robbery last night at 10.45 o'clock in Mannersstreet. Mr. Michael Clancy had his gold watch snatched from him by a man, who instantly bolted in the direction of the Town Hall. Mr. Clancy quickly gave chose, and ran. hia quarry down behind a hoarding near the Central Fire Brigade Station. Here some of the brigade men rendered aid, and the man was captured and handed over to the police. This morning Joseph Borlaso was charged before Mr. Riddell, S.M., with the offence of stealing from Michael Clancy, a gold watch chain valued at £5 17s 6d. On the application of StaTlon-Sergeant Darby a remand was granted to the 16th December.