BURGLARY CHARGE

Hokitika Guardian, 15 January 1935, Page 6

BURGLARY CHARGE

(Per Press Association, Copyright)

GHIUSTOHUROH, January 15

Before the Magistrate, Mr Mosley, Robert James Mitchell; aged 28, a labourer, was charged with breaking and entering the premises of Selwyn Hosiery Manufacturing Co., with intent to commit a crime on December 6.

During Die hearing, evidence was given concerning a sensational chase about midnight, on December 6, when civilians assisted in the pursuit of two men ,until one was bailed up at a revolver point. Two brothers W. F. Guy and Vernon N. Guy, were cycling past the hosiery company’s premises at 10.45 pun., when they heard a burglar alarm and they saw two men getting over a fence. One brother proceeded to notify Die police while the other endeavoured to keep a track of the men’s movements. The brothers in evidence, said they were unable to identify the men. Leslie Walter Piper said he was stopped in the street by Vernon Guy and as a result of information given went to ...ydenham. police. He accompanied Constable Woolton to Madras Street Bridge. The men were near the top of the steps. One stopped them at a revolver point. The man said: “Stop or I’ll let you have it.’’ The man made a bolt down the steps of the bridge.

Witness 'proceeded to'"d etail how he continued i n pursuit of the man as far as Latimer Square, where the man turned and said “Stop, or I’ll let you have it.” After a few minutes? the 'constable arrived .on a bicycle and the man made another fireak away. The constable rode up in front and hailed him up with his own gun. “As I came up at the rear I could see the man struggling to get something out of his pocket. The constable stopped him before he could do anything. I held the man while the constable ‘searched him. I saw the •constable take something from him, which I later knew to he a revolver.”

The community owes a debt of gratitude to you for your persistency in coming to the aid of the police, said the Magistrate. It was admirable conduct.

In evidence Leslie Pearce, aged 30. a. labourer now on remand on a similar charge to that against Mitchell, said lie had known Mitchell for some years. On December 6, they went to the Selwvn Hosiery Company and had a look at the place and decided it was an “easy thing.” One door was being forced by Mitchell when the burglar alarm rang and they left in a hurry. Subsequently witnes s was arrested by Constable Wootton, after he had bee n followed through the streets. Pearce admitted pcintino- a revolver at Piper. *