BULLS ROBBERY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21981, 27 March 1946, Page 6

BULLS ROBBERY

POLICE ABANDONED CAR ARMS FOUND NEARBY (P.A.) PALMERSTON N., March 27. The police chase after the three men wanted for robbing the Bank of New Zealand at Bulls on Mondey reached a climax late last night when two young men, both residents of Palmerston North, were detained. The police were considerably helped by the discovery yesterday morning of the third car abandoned on the Waitarere Beach road, between Levin and Foxton, with a sugar bag containing a mask, army greatcoat and sandals nearby. This car was owned by one of the young men detained. It is also reported that a Sten-gun and a revolver were found near this car. It is understood that some o f the stolen money was also recovered later. The police combed the Ihakara area from daylight but found no trace ot the man who abandoned the Buick car after Constable Haresnape fired a shot into a tyre. The driver evidently escaped through the police cordon. Sten-gun Stolen From A.T.C. A Wanganui message says the Sten sub-machine gun was stolen from the headquarters of the No. 9 Cquadron ot the Air Training Corps in Ridgway street during the week-end, but no ammunition for the weapon was taken. The weapon is of the type believed to be in the possession of the men who held up the staff of the Bulls branch of the Bank of New Zealand, though that obviously cannot be verified at present.

The gun was kept in a storeroom at A.T.C. headquarters, and when 'he store was closed on Friday night it was securely locked with a padlock on Mondav morning it was discovered tbathe padlock had been wrenched off the door, which had been opened. The Sten-gun and one empty magazine were missing, but apparently no attempt was made to tamper with the boxes of ammunition.