WAREHOUSE ROBBERY

Grey River Argus, 24 July 1941, Page 4

WAREHOUSE ROBBERY

Smart Police Work IN WHALL STREET. Actually arrested whilst inside the bulk store and warehouse premises of M. McDonnell, in Whall Street, shortly before two o’clock yesterday morning, three men later appeared in the Magistrate’s Court to face serious charges. Their discovery was due to quick work on the part of Constable O. L. Thomas who, whilst on night patrol, walking along the railway line between the Railway Station and Tainui Street, noticed the reflection of a light on the ground. His further investigations showed that someone was moving about inside and he promntly telephoned the Police Station. Constable A. H. T. Smith, who was on duty in the watchhouse, immediately joined Constable Thomas and together they approached the building. ,Tne padlock was found to be missin- from the door, which was open, and inside the building they found three men behind some packin'-- cases. They were arrested and taken into custody, the broken nadlock being recovered bv the police. Before Mr G. G. Chisholm, S.M.. late r in the morning, the three men appeared in the Magistrate's Court. They were Joseph Hazeldine. a porter;‘David John Greaney, labourer: and Clifford Marsh,- porter, all of Grevmouth. Thev were jointlvi charged (1) that, on July 23. at Greymouth they were deemed to be rogues and vagabonds, within the meaning of the Police Offences Act 1927. in Liat they were found in the warehouse of E. McDonnell and Co., Whall Street; (2) that, on July 2.3, at Greymouth, they did break and enter the warehouse of E. McDonnell and Co., and steal therein 211 lbs. of tobacco and one case of tinned whitebait, of a total value of £22 6d, the property of E. McDonnell and Co. Detect've-Sergeant H. E. Knight, in applying for a remand in each case until next Monday, said the accused had been apprehended only at an early hour in the morning. There was ‘ a quantity of property which had not been recovered, and he would like an onnortunity of recovering it. He also asked that, if possible, the accused should be remanded in custody, to give him an opportunity of recovering the missing property. Mr E. B. E. Taylor was appearing for the accused, but had been instructed only a few minutes before. He was not in Court, but he (the Detective-Sergeant) knew that he desired to make an application for bail. In Mr Taylor's absence, he would make the application for him.

The Magistrate said he was afraid he could not wait for Mr Taylor, as he had to catch the rail-car to Hokitika.

The Detective-Sergeant said that, against the application for bail, was the fact that one of the accused had given an address which, as far as could be ascertained, was not correct. The police had not recovered all of the missing property, and apparently the accused did not feel disposed to assist. If bail should be granted, he (the Detective-Sergeant) asked that it be made very substantial and that the accused be required to report to the police daily. Asked by the Magistrate if they had anything to sav in regard to the application for a remand, the accused ail applied for bail. The Magistrate, in granting the remand, said that he would grant bail, in each case, in self of £250 and two sureties of £250 each. The accused Greaney asked if they could have their names suppressed in the meantime.

The Magistrate (to the DetectiveSergeant): You say these men were actually caught at the premises ? The ‘Detective-Sergeant: Actually in them.

The Magistrate said that he would not make any order for the suppression of the names of the accused.