Armed Man Robs Bank At Auckland

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 October 1948, Page 5

Armed Man Robs Bank At Auckland

(P.A.) AUCKLAND, This Day.

After staging an armed hold-up at the Bank of New Zealand agency in Parnell road, shortly before noon today, an armed robber escaped with between £3OO and .£4OO

in cash. The robber attempted to;gag the teller behind the counter and produced a pistol. The teller put up a fight, but unavailingly.

The agency, which is open only on Tuesdays and Fridays, is situated, in a shop. The only one on duty was the .teller, Mr C. W. McCorkindale. About noon, a man, whom he recognised as one who had previously discussed the opening of an account, entered and, .producing a heavy Luger pistol, said: “Stick ’em up. This is a hold-up.” It is stated that McCorkindale raised his arms and the robber went to the back of the counter, attempting, with a scarf, to gag the teller. McCorkindale grabbed the pistol and twice struck the robber. Both .azstruggled for the pistol, but the man grabbed the money and ran out of the bank with McCorkindale pursuing him. x

libber’s Escape The robber escaped by running down a side street.

A woman, who was passing, said she saw a man run from the-bank with blood on him. The teller followed with a scarf around his neck. »Thc man from the bank, calling 'help,’ asked me to close thel bank door,'’ said the woman. “This 1 did after finding that the man had disappeared.” The teller returned to the bank and reported the matter. . . . Alan Tanner, a tobacconist adjoining the bank, rushed to -the aid of the teller after a woman told him he was wanted at the bank. “I saw-the teller at the door holding a gun,” Tanner said. “He had blood on his coat and was pale and shaking, but was not injured. At his request I telephoned the central polled and the chief accountant at the bank of the city. Six detectives auickly arrived and took a statethe bank in the city. Six detectives “Grappled on Floor”

“As the robber was trying'.to tie the teller’s hands behind his back, he put his gun oh the counter.’ ' The teller grabbed it and hit the robber. They grappled on the floor, but the robber broke loose.

- “I went to the hotel and got a stiff brandy for the teller, who seemed to be suffering from shock. Earlier f had heard a commotion outside the shop, but did not realise what it was about. Had I known I might have given real assistance. However, I feel sure the robber could n.ot have got very far, for j udging by the blood on the wall and the floor, he must have received a”hearty crack.”