ARMED MEN in BANK

Hokitika Guardian, 8 January 1921, Page 1

ARMED MEN in BANK

CLERK BOUND AND GAGGED

SYDNEY, Dec. 28,

The robbery of a small bank at Annandalc, a Sydney suburb, last week, was voiv boldly planned and executed. The men got only £SO for their trouble; but, on ordinary circumstances, they should have got £(>00 or £7OO. The branch is a very small affair, open on four days a week, for the convenience of small tradesmen in the locality. A clerk, Garrard, comes from :i larger branch, and does the whole of the business required. At 3 o’clock last Thursday, Garrard was busily counting his cash when two men came in. One threw a 10s note on the counter arid asked for “four hobs’ worth of threepences.’’ Garrard was counting them out when he heard a curt “Hands up.” He looked up. right into the blue hand of ;i revolver. Ifis own revolver was within reach, hut he was helpless, and his hands went up. file second man ten vaulted over the counter, took Garrard’s coat from a nearby hook, put it on Garrard back to front, and buttoned it. They produced strong cord and a gag, arid they securely boufid and ga'gged the youth. Then they quickly ransacked the till, taking all the notes they could find, and the silver, but not touring the copper, or the cheques, fir other identifiable documents. “Hardly worth the trouble,” muttered one man, as they went away. It is happencl that there was not quite £SO in cash in the place ; as a rule, there is £6OO or £7OO there. The men pulled the front door to after them. The whole incident did riot occupy four minutes.

Then the clerk tried to release himself. His legs were unbound, hut his hands wore very'firmly ties behind him. ||(> Could riot get outside because the front door was closed. He rubbed his fact? against the da 11, and managed to displace &ie gag. Then he knelt down at the front door, put his mouth to the letter-slot, arid howled bis doleful tale out into an interested world. Men soon collected, and they finally attacked and burst in the hack door, and released the clerk. The clerk said afterwards that the men knew their business, arid had everything planned out. He was made to stand Wifli his face to tlie wall, so that lie did ri'ot have a chance to study them very closely, but they were both voung. They said: “We won’t take vour watch and chain, sport,” referring to a valuable gold watch and chain which he carried ; nor did they touch some £3 which the clerk had in h,s pockets. y. The detectives have been working ori a very faint trail, arid do not appear optimistic.