WANGANUI SENSATION

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLI, Issue XLI, 9 May 1921, Page 7

WANGANUI SENSATION

ALLEGED ATTEMPTED MIfRDER. x ■ TWO MEN CHARGED. j

The Y\~anga*nui Chronicle stafces that under nicnit sensational c-reum-stanees early last evening, :n Mr J. A Inomton's grocer's snqp in tne Avenue (opposite tne imperial Motel) the arrest of uvo burglars was made by Constables ivoger Y\ :isc:U and F. o'Donoghue/\vii* ii-aU to face a fusilade of bullets before tiiey got their men, During the day Mr R. AY. Tl....«rnj! happened to visit the shop, and i;ot.c.i that the back door was onened. although this tact did not greatly, fcinke him, as he thought his brother might ! have been there. Later in the afternoon he went to his brother's piace iso tea. andt mentioned the fa<ct, with the result that both set out for the shop to make investigations, . Mr j. A. Thomson communicated with the police and Constables Roger Wilson and F. O'Donoghiue quickly joined them. On reachingOhe shop about 7 p.m., Conrtable O'Donoghue ' was posted at the back door, while Constable Wilson and Mr J. A. 'Thomson ooend the front door and entered the shon. I Constable Wilson started to flash , the electric light of his torch and then jhe suddenly saw behind the counter two men standing together each with 1 a revolver in an outstretched hand. I "Hands, up, or I'll shoot/ said one of the men quietly, but determinedly. Immediately Constable Wilson switched the light off and ducked down behind the weighing scales, while Mr. Thomson sought cover behind 'the cash regisI ter. The two; burglars immediately ran [ for the back of the shop with Constable Wilson at their heels. At the i back door Allan was confronted by Constable O'Doaioghue. "I'll shoot '■ he exclaimed excitedly, but Constate O Donoghue went straight at him" and j a desperate struggle ensued. Allen then fired several shots and missed by the narrowest of margins. Much happened in a lew crowded and exciting seconds. ' While Constable O Donoghue was struggling with his man a number of empty ' cases were knocked over, a, minor incident, but it seemed to impede^ Donovan s flight, and with a levelled I revolver ho turned at bay and called to Constable Wilson to stand off. Without the slightest hesitation the constable dived straight in and ducked instinctively as two revolver bullets I whistled past his head. Getting to close qua tiers, Constable Wilson^fchrew Donovan, and the latter immediately .gave in with the exclamation, "All right, I'll go!" ( Allen managed to break away from Constable O'Donoghue, and a desperate race to the front of the shop followed. Allen dived headlong through the glass panel out into the street; but before he could recover his- feet he was seized by Messrs J. A. and W. Thomson. Allen managed to fire another shot, but with the aid of Constable O'Donoghue, who was in pursuit, he was quickly | overpowered. s The accused had booked at the hotel : Where they were staying as Ross and ' Gilmour, and when first arrested gave ! the names of Donovan and Bell. I Both Donovan and Allen are about 23 years of age. The former is about I oft 7in in height, with dark com- I plexion and brown hair. He, was a ' seaman by occupation. Allen is of I shorter; stature, about sft 4in. He is 1 fair,. with light brown eyes. He was a labourer by occupation. Constables Wilson and O'Donoghue are two .popular members of the local police force. Both had miraculous escapes, and it was marvellous that they came through unscathed.

■■' {.lfX TELEGRAPH PRPIS9 ASKOCJATJON ) - ■ WANGANUI, May 9. As a sequel to yesterday's sensation, Robert Gilmour Allen and Edward Donovan were charged at the Magistrate's Court this morning with breaking, entering and theft, and attempting to murder Constables O'Donoghue and Wilson and John Alexander Thomsonr A remand was granted until next Monday to enable the police to make enquiries. The tools found in"\ the possession of the accused ai-e reported to have been stolen from a local plumber.