BANK HOLD-UP

Evening Star, Issue 21005, 20 January 1932, Page 8

BANK HOLD-UP

TWO MEN BEFORE COURT REMANDS GRANTED [Per United Press Association.] INVERCARGILL, January 20. As a sequel to the Edendale bank sensation Maurice Patrick Dufl'ey, married, aged 27, was charged in the Police Court with breaking and entering the dwelling of Robert Archibald by night with intent to commit a crime. William Leonard Brewer, single, aged 24, was similarly charged. He was also charged with stealing a bag containing £847, the property of the Ocean Beach Freezing Company. The latter charge was also preferred against Thomas Harold Brewer, married, aged 33. Remands for a week were granted. Counsel for Thomas Brewer applied for bail, which was fixed self in £I,OOO and ono surety of a similar amount.

[lt was reported to the inspector of police at Invercargill on the night of January 13 that two masked men, one carrying a rifle, had entered the premises of the Bank of New South Wales at Edendale. It was stated that the manager (Mr -Archibald) and his wife were in the kitchen, to which the intruders made their way. The manager received bruises on the forehead and a cut on the cheek from the effects of an improvised sandbag. The intruders gained entry by opening the window of the sitting room at the front of the house. Hearing footsteps, Mrs Archibald got up from her chair and opened the door. The assailant rushed in and hit her, knocking off her glasses; and a second hit was received on her cheek. The husband rushed to his wife’s assistance and pushed her past him, enabling her to rush out of the back door and call for help. She was followed by the man, armed with a rifle, which was loaded. Meanwhile her husband struggled with the second man, ydio hit out with a sandbag, which burst as it struck Mr Archibald’s head. He then followed outside to help his wife, who meanwhile rushed out, running to a next-door neighbour. The husband proceeded down_ the street and called for further assistance, but returning found no trace of the intruders, who had decamped. The incident created a good deal of interest locally, and the general opinion was that the would-be' robbers, once the alarm was given, were afraid to carry through to obtain the keys of the bank premises attached to the manager’s residence.] [The theft charge relates to the pay roll of the Ocean Beach Frozen Meat Company, which went missing at South Invercargill on July 3 of last year.]