STOPPED BY UMBRELLA

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 July 1930, Page 2

STOPPED BY UMBRELLA

JAB MISTAKEN FOR BULLET.

A remarkable incident occurred in a Sydney street recently. Detective Wilks flung his umbrella at a fugitive, and, at the same time, shouted, “Hands up, or I fire!” The man, feeling the sharp jab of the umbrella, thought that he had been shot, and came to a standstill. While was examining himself for wounds he was arrested.

During recent weeks a man representing himself as an employee of reputable garages has been securing motor tyres and motor accessories from city firms by the use of bogus order forms. When the matter was referred to the police, Detective Nye prepared a plan for the capture of the offender. Detectives Mackie . and Wilks were following up this plan and were proceeding along- a street in a motor-car when they saw a suspect. Wilks sprang from the car and accosted the man, but he made a thrust at. the detective-and then fled. Wilks, when the blow was aimed at him, stepped quickly backwards, and sprained his ankle. He could not give chase, but with a warning cry lie threw his umbrella, at the man and later captured him. The suspect, was charged with having obtained goods by false pretences. Subsequently another man was arrested and charged with having received stolen property.