A PALMERSTON SENSATION.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 9 September 1929, Page 4

A PALMERSTON SENSATION.

BURGLARS BIND AND GAG GIRL IN HOUSE. THE RESIDENCE RANSACKED. To be caught unawares in an apparently empty house and boundand gagged by two_ unknown intruders, was the unenviable experience of Miss Mavis Hay, aged 19, who resides with her parents, Mr and Mrs A. Kay (formerly of Levin) at 48 Featherston Street, Pialmerston North.

Yesterday ‘morning, shortly before 11 o’clock, Miss May was left alone in the house when her parents departed for church. She was in the bathroom, about her household duties, when she was suddenly seized from behind by two men who had entered silently while her back was turned. In a moment, her hands were pinioned to her sides and a hand over her mouth effectively prevented any outcry. What followed is naturally not too clear to Miss May, but she found herself securely bound and gagged lying on the bathroom door, where she was left without further molestation. The intruders used a towel to bind her arms, an apron a§ a gag, and (k skein of wool to tie the feet. Leaving the girl helpless, the two men then proceeded thoroughly to ransack the house. Apparently cash was their object, but Mr Hay was fortunate i» that he had left no loose change or money in the house, and the two intruders went unrewarded.

After completing their search, the pair left the house without again visiting the bound girl, and it was not until ten minutes later, that she was successful in working the gag out of her mouth and calling for help. Her cries were heard by Mr Alexander Clark, a neighbour, who quickly investigated, lie found both doors of the house locked, but after a search, noticed the key of the back door lying on the verandah. Mr Clark quickly released the bound girl, who apa*rt from the shock, was none the worse for her experience. Apparently, the men entered through the back door, believing that the house was unoccupied. When they found the girl, who was likely to disturb their operations, it is thought they decided to take a means of silencing her and ensuring their escape. The two men who entered the house apparently had a third confederate in charge of a car outside, for some small boys are reported to have seen a light car containing three men drive away from Mr Hay’s residence during the morning.

Mr Clark, immediately after releasing Miss Hay, telephoned the police, but despite the prompt arrival of Sergeant Joyce and Constable Goodwin, too much time had elapsed for an effective pursuit. The audacity o£ the entry was apparently the burglars’ safeguard, for a neighbour working in a garden on the other side of Mr Hay’s residence heard nothing of an untoward nature. Mr Clark, hpwever, states that he heard a slight noise some ten minutes before Miss Hay succeeded in attracting his attention, but attached no importance to it. —Palmerston Times.