INTRUDER IN SHOP

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 134, 3 December 1935, Page 19

INTRUDER IN SHOP

HELD AFTER STRUGGLE

YOUNG MAN IN CUSTODY

(By Xclegr.-iph—l'l-css -Association.)

AUCKLAND, December 2,

An intruder who was surprised behind the counter' of a shop in Hurstmerc Road, Takapuna, early tonight was overpowered, by the occupier of the shop after a brief struggle and was held until the" police arrived.

The shopkeeper, Mr. E. Selwyn, a middle-aged man, suffered no injury in the encounter, but he was considerably shaken as a result.

Mr. Selwyn's suspicions were roused by the behaviour of a young man who entered the shop about 6.30 and made conversation for some time. Eventually Mr.. Selwyn announced his intention of having dinner and left the shop by a door that leads to a billiard room at the back, after watching the young -man go out into the street.

Once in the billiard room Mr. Selwyn looked back through a glass panel into the shop and was surprised to see i man behind the_.?.tobacco counter bending over the till, which was open. He immediately rushed back into, the shop and grappled,with the man, who made stout resistance.

After a brief struggle, in which he narrowly, missed, severe blows on the face, Mr.. Selwyn succeeded in overpowering the man,,whom he held prostrate behind the counter. He called for his daughter to summon the police, •and was still holding the intruder when a constable arrived a few minutes later and took him in charge.