THEFTS FROM FACTORY

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 23, 27 July 1927, Page 13

THEFTS FROM FACTORY

CHARGES AGAINST LABOURER

POLICEMAN'S DIFFICULTIES

The story _of a struggle between a policeman and an alleged burglar in a boot factory in Egmont street the week before last was told in the Magistrate's Court to-day, when Arthur Harold Anderson, alias Harold Arthur Anderson, a labourer, aged 33, appeared on. two charges of breaking and entering and theft, and one charge of breaking and entering with the intent to commit a crime. The offences, which involved the stealing of footwear, and leather soles, of a-total value of £.125, were alleged to have been committed by the accused in April ana June, and on the 16th of this nibnth. Anderson, who appeared with his head swathed in bandages, was represented by Mr. W. E. Leicester. Chief-Detective Ward prosecuted.

■Mr. James Staples, managing director and proprietor of the boot factory, identified as his own a quantity of footwear found at the accused's place, but said that some of it had been missed before the dates on which Anderson was alleged to have broken, into the premises.

Constable B: T. Bradley, who. with Mr. Henry Fisk, a retired Civil servant, was keeping a look-out inside the factory on the night of the 16th, said that at about 10 o'clock he heard someone walking about outside, and shortly afterwards heard a man strike a match inside the' building. The intruder, who had apparently got-in through a skylight, made his way in the dark to the lavatory, and went inside. He came out about twenty minutes later, and .witness, flashing a torch on him, told him to put up .his' hands. The man,, whom he identified, as the accused, did not do so, tut lunged towards him. Witness stepped back, but as the man still come on he struck him oh the head with his baton. A struggle ensued, and witness managed to get one handcuff on the man, who, however, escaped through the.back door and ran away. Witness pursued. Turn, eventually catching him up in an alley-way off Jessie street, where he closed with him once more. Two or. three more baton: Mows were struck, but witness, was unable to handcuff the accused. - He called upon passers-by for assistance, but .none was forthcoming, so he went to get -police aid. Anderson escaped in the meantime, but witness identified him from among a number of other men at. the police station the next day. Mr. Fisk gave corroborative evidence adding that %vhen the constable told Anderson to put up Ms hands the accused replied, "That's all right; I'm one of the bosses here."

Detective W. M'iennan said that he visited the accused at his room the next day. He could find no traces of the stolen goods there, but on top of a cupboard on the landing outside the room was a suitcase containing practically all the boots and shoes produced in Court. Beside the suitcase was a pair of brown-shoes with fresh bloodstains on them. Accused, who had five re-contly-inflieted wounds on his head, denied all knowledge of the suitcase or the shoes. ' .

Asked what he did with' the handcuffs, tho accused said he threw them into the sea Jhe first thing that morning. ;

Detective N. Eaylis, gave similar evidence. He also said that Anderson tried on. one of the blood-stained shoes which fitted him.

Tlio accused pleaded not guilty, reserved his defence, and was committed to ■ the Supreme Court for trial. Bail of £200 ;in 'two sureties 'of- S, 100. wa3 renewed. Tho' Magistrate- made it a condition' that tho accused should report daily to the police.