CITY BURGLARIES

Evening Star, Issue 19351, 10 September 1926, Page 6

CITY BURGLARIES

EXTENSIVE RAIDS OY YOUNG MEN OFFENCES ADMITTED Several charges were preferred against three young men at the City Police Court to-day of breaking and entering several premises in and around tlie city. Pleas of guilty wore entered. Chief-detective Lewis prosecuted. Joseph Muldownie, Leslie Pearce, and Bruce Imrio wore jointly charged with breaking and entering the I ernhill Club on the night of August 28, and stealing the property of Charles Janies Boecroft and others to a value of £24.

They were further charged with breaking and entering by day, on September 1, the dwelling house of Elizabeth Buchanan and property to tho value of £52 Is. Elizabeth Buchanan, •_ residing at Easter crescent, Kew, said she left her house unoccupied on September 1. bme discovered on her return that the place had been ransacked, and a number of tilings were missing. All the jewellery had been recovered, but not the money. George Latimer, manager of tho T'nion Pawn Office, said that a man giving his name as “ Alexander Brunswick ” pawned a watch on September 4, and lie gave him 255. This was the accused Muldownie.

Daniel Sheehy, a barman, said Imrie was a porter at ono time in the Provincial Hotel. Witness saw the accused and two others in tho bar on the afternoon of September 1. Imrie handed witness a little parcel, and asked him whether ho would look after it for him. He put the parcel away, and two days afterwards, Detective Sneddon called on him. Tho parcel contained tho jewellery produced in court, with the exception of the watch. Detective Sneddon said, on September 2, he interviewed Pearce regarding tho breaking and entering. Tho accused admitted tho offences. On the following day ho interviewed Imrie, and he admitted taking part in tho commission of that offence. Tho accused Muldownie was seen on September 7. He also admitted the offence.

Charles James Beecroft, manager of "the Fernhill Club, said that ho left the club at 9.15 p.m. on August 27. When ho arrived at the place next morning he found that the drawer in his office desk had been forced open, whilst ’ a number of things wero missing. Alex, Sinclair, a solicitor, said ho was a resident of tho Fernhill Club. His overcoat was in the club the night before the place was broken into. John Meado gave evidence of having discovered a small parcel containing cheque books, cigarettes, etc. in a section at the corner of Fish and Willis streets.

Detective Roycroft said ho interviewed Muldowuie on September 2 about the offence at the Ecrnhill Club. Arcuced admitted tho offence. Next day he saw Imrie, and he also admitted having taken part in tho aifair. Accused was wearing tho overcoat that had been removed from the club. Detective Sneddon said that Pearce admitted his share in the same raid. The accused pleaded guilty to both charges, and wero committed for sentence to tho Supreme Court. Tho Magistrate made an order for the return of the goods. Leslie Pearce and Bruce Imrie were then jointly charged with breaking and entering by night, on July 22, the shop of Oscar Reginald Cooper, and stealing., property valued at £23. Oscar Reginald Cooper, an outfitter with a business in Stuart street, said that both the men had been in his shop. On the morning of July 22 ho found that tho till, cash register, and office desk had been broken into, whilst a number of articles wore, missing. Goods to tho value of £2 had been recovered, but the balance was still mussing.

George Latimer, pawnbroker, said that a man giving Ids name as “E. Tyson ” obtained (3s on a suit case. Detective Roycroft said ho interviewed the accused about the offence. They admitted the offences. They stated that they had sold the property to persons in tho city. The accused pleaded guilty, and were committed to the Supreme Court lor sentence. Tho property was also ordered to bo returned. Pearce was admitted to bail in his own recognisance and one surety of £SO, on condition that he reported daily to tho police. Tho Chief Detective stated that Pearce might have to go into hospital. Bruce Imrie was also charged with breaking and entering the shop of Walter Gabriel Ilossiler and stealing a revolver, valued at £-3, the property of Rossitcr.

Kosio Mary Rossiter said that the revolver was in the window of her father’s shop on June 9. Late at night it was found to have been taken, tho window being broken. William Neve said bo noticed that the shop window had been smashed, and ho reported the matter to tho police. Detective Sneddon gave evidence of having interviewed the accused on September 6. Imrio stated that ho handed the revolver to a man whom lie knew as “Mick.” Tho man, however, denied that he had it, and a search of his premises revealed nothing. The accused pleaded guilty, and was committed to tho Supremo Court for sentence.