SMART ARREST CLEARS UP SEVERAL BURGLARIES

Evening Star, Issue 26137, 26 June 1947, Page 6

SMART ARREST CLEARS UP SEVERAL BURGLARIES

The story of an early morning chase by a constable and the apprehension of a man in possession of stolen g&ods was related m the Police Court today, when a series of city burglaries was admitted by James Francis Arthur (24), a plasterer’s labourer. Constable N. S. Turner gave evidence of apprehending Arthur in Bond street shortly after 2 a.m. last Friday, and of how a subsequent search of his home at 27 Russell street disclosed goods that had been stolen' from two city firms. Arthur, who was represented’by Mr W. McAlevey, pleaded guilty to breaking and entering the premises of Calder Mackay Company Ltd., Rattray street, on May 16, and stealing a barometer, nine boxes of cutlery, and three watches, of a total value of £2l Is Gd ; breaking and entering the shop of Poulters Ltd.,-George street, on June 12, and stealing footwear and 10s worth of stamps, of a total value of £8 6s 3d; and breaking and entering the counting house of Scoullar and Co. Ltd., in Jetty street, on June 20, and stealing a quantity of tobacco and cigarettes, and £1 los, of a total value of £4 Os 2d, the property of members of the staff of the firm. Mr J. D. Willis, S.M., committed Arthur to the Supreme Court for sentence. Constable Turner said that he was returning to the police station early. last Friday morning, when he saw a man near Scoullar and Company’s premises. This person walked .quickly away towards Princes street, and he had a carton under his arm. The constable said he made a quick examination of the building, and saw that it had been entered. The man: by this time was 40yds away, and witness hailed the driver of a Taieri and Peninsula Company milk lorry. The vehicle was taken to Manor street and into Bond street, where Arthur was apprehended. ' The constable returned to Scoullar and Co., and found that the office had been entrance to the premises being gained through a window that had been forced. Arthur subsequently said that he was standing in the street when a .man rushed, past him and thrust a carton of cigarettes into his hand. The accused added that he had gone only a few yards himself when he was apprehended by the constable. The next morning, said Constable Turner, all the stolen goods taken from the other two city firms were found at Arthur’s home, and he then made a statement admitting all three burglaries. He was in • slippers when apprehended in Bond street. Evidence was also given by, Frank Sherriff, manager of Scoullar and Co., Charles James Gamble, and William Raymond Callender, accountant and sales manager resuectively for Calder Mackay and Co. Ltd., and James Edward Bradshaw', branch manager of Poulters Ltd.