A POLICE TRAP.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 22 November 1924, Page 7

A POLICE TRAP.

YOUNG MAN ARRESTED

IN A TELEPHONE BOX

Caught by means of an electric alarm connected with a. nearby house at which a policeman was stationed a young man was arrested on Tuesday evening while allegedly tampering with a machine (says a Christchurch message). For some time past thefts from the public telephone machines have been the subject of police inquiries. Apart from the monetary loss to the Telephone Department, considerable inconvenience has been caused through damage to telephones. On one occasion no fewer tliitij seven machines spread over a very wide area weie rifled, and the damage to the ihachines ran into many pounds. For months past Scarcely a week has gone by without the Telegraph Department reporting yet another theft. Boxes at New Brighton, Sdckburn, Riceartoh. Waltham, Sydenham, Caslnneve ail'd St. Albans have been tampered with at different times.

It is understood that the alarm system has been tried out before. Although no previous arrests were made, the police have been making very close inquiries all along. On Alonday evening a. policeman was stationed in a house close to the telephone box concerned. He. took up his duties earlv in the evening aiid waited patiently for someone to walk into the trap that had been set for him. Two and a half hours slipped bv. and there was no. ring. Just after 9.30, however, the alarm was given, and the policeman was promptly on the scene and an arrest was effected. The youth who was arrested, Robert Vernon Radcliffe, aged 17 years, who was represented by Air Burns, appeared at "the Alagis--trate’s Court, charged with having attempted to steal about 3s in money from a .public telephone slot, the nionev being the property of the New Zealand Government.

On the application of Sub-Inspector Cameron, accused was remanded until •ivember 26. The sub-inspector stated that there would be about fifteen other charges to. he brought against the accused.