SWIFT POLICE CHASE

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 17 June 1935, Page 4

SWIFT POLICE CHASE

Arrest of Suspects in Christchurch Safe Robbery DRAMATIC DASH BY CAR HASTE CAUSES SUSPICION (By Telegraph—Press Association.)" CHRISTCHURCH, To-day. Alter a dramatic dash from Christchurch by detectives, two young men were arrested, at Picton early yesterday morning on a charge of safe blowing at Hays, Ltd. Following tho blowing of a safe at Hay’s, the police were called in at 2.45 a.m. on Saturday, and Detectives Halerow and Herron were detailed for tho investigations. Later in the morning the police received information that two men were seen going through Rangiora. Further on came a report from Culverdcn that they had been observed there. The . Christchurch detectives checked the movements of the suspects, and, acting on further information, gave pursuit in a police car, leaving Christchurch just before midnight on Saturday and arriving at Picton on Sunday morning. It is understood that a good propor- ▼ tion of the money allegedly stolen has been recovered.

The chief detective pays a tribute to the efficient co-operation of police officers along the route, who quickly picked up traces of the fugitives and reported their movements. WATCHMAN’S DISCOVERY.

Although the noise was muffled with mattresses and blankets the sound of the explosion in the safe door in Hay’s shop on Saturday morning, made with a powerful charge, attracted the attention" of a night-watchman in a neighbouring building, who entered the building and found the safe broken and empty. The heavy steel door was blown out and strong bolts snapped. Several pairs of socks, 'believed to have been worn on the hands as a precaution against finger-prints, were taken from the shop. The robbery bore the trace of careful planning and expert execution.

An hour after the police had been informed of the robbery by the nightwatchman, Detectives J. J. Halcrow and A. Herron began work on the case. From then until Saturday night a series of elaborate reports from police officers and stations along the Toute from Christchurch to Picton shadowed for the benefit of the central station the progress of the men travelling by ear and train.

At 8.30 a.m. on Saturday a report from the Rangiora police stated that two men had arrived there by taxi and had taken railway tickets to Waiau. The- men travelled to Culverden and left the train there instead of completing the journey to Waiau.

SUSPICIOUS HASTE. The Culverden police noticed their arrival and became suspicious of their haste when they hired a car and left for the north. The detectives waiting in Christchurch checked the description of the men and were satisfied that one of them was undoubtedly the man whom they had suspected immediately the crime was discovered.

Senior-Sergeant J. Smyth, of Blenheim, and Constable Roberts, Picton, were then informed of the men’s apparent approach. v Advice having been received that the men were bound for Picton and were due to arrive there iat about S p.m., Senior-Sergeant Smyth hurried to the town and shortly afterward reported that they had arrived and were making arrangements to leave before breakfast on the following morning. On the authority of Inspector A. Cameron, Detectives Halcrow and Herron were sent immediately in a car on a fast journey to Picton. They left Christchurch iat 11.30 o ’clock on Saturday night and arrived in Picton early on Sunday morning. From information given* by Senior-Sergeant Smyth they discovered The two men and arrested them within a few minutes of tlicir arrival. It is stated that a large sum of cash was found on the men. ''P