DRAMATIC PURSUIT

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 17 June 1935, Page 6

DRAMATIC PURSUIT

Early Morning Arrest of Two Young Men MISSING MONEY FOUND PAIR LOCATED AT HOTEL (By Telegraph—Press Association.) BLENHEIM, To-day. The appearance at the Picton Police Court this’morning of Albert William Gauntlett, aged about 30, and Ralph Crosby, aged about 25, the latter an Australian, was the culmination of one of the' most dramatic pursuits of •suspected burglars in the history of New Zealand. The men, who were charged with breaking and entering the premises of Hays Ltd., Christchurch early oil Saturday morning, were remanded to appear at Christchurch on June 25.

Immediately the burglary was investigated at Christchurch the police there became interested in the journey of a C.hristcluirch taxi cab which left the city for the north on Saturday morning. B,y telephone and telegraph all police stations along t]ie route from Christchurch to Blenheim were communicated with, and as the taxi passed each station the officer in charge immediately reported its progress, so that at all times the authorities knew exactly where it was, in anticipation of its making for Picton. The police station there was advised, and while members of the Blenheim force were stategically posted round Blenheim .so .as to pick up the fugitives’ trail if necessary, Sergeant Smith and one constable proceeded to Picton. With the Picton police they witnessed the arrival of the taxi at 8.30 p.m. It was evident that the car’s occupants had anticipated connecting with the Tamaliine for Wellington, but .she had sailed in the morning. Finally the men booked in at Oxley’s Hotel, which was kept under close observation by the police,, in the meantime. Once the. quarry had gone to rest Detectives ITalcrow and Herron, of Christchurch, set out by- car for Pieton, travelling all night. At Blenheim they were joined by Constable Healy. They- arrived at Picton at 8.30 yesterday morning and the whole police party, now in considerable strength, closed on the hotel. The wanted men were still in bed and there was no difficulty- in effecting their arrest. The bulk of the money missing from Hay’s was found secreted in a room. The .suspects, under escort, arc returning to Christchurch to-day.

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