CAR CONVERSION

Hokitika Guardian, 20 June 1939, Page 2

CAR CONVERSION

POLICE ARREST AT HASTINGS. (Per Press Association —Copyright.; HASTINGS, June 10. Smart work by the police on Saturday night resulted in the, arrest of a man aged 23, who a short time previously had taken a motor-car from Napier, and subsequently broke into a Hastings garage. Notification tliaii the cay had been removed was received by the Hastings police at 8.30 p.m. A constable who went off duty at 9 p.m., while cycling home a few minutes later, saw a motor-car parkeu on the roadside which tallied with the description of the vehicle taken from Napier. Finding the registration number of the car, which contained no Occupants, to be that of the missing vehicle, the constable made a brief survey of the locality. A light in the office prem-jes of « garage near where the ear was parked drew his attention. Hearing sounds from within and finding the Irom. entrances of the garage locked, the constable satisfied himself that intruders were in the premises. From a near-by telephone lie summoned assistance from the police station. Smashing glass greeted the assisting constable as lie crossed the yard. Simultaneously a man’s leg appeared through a window at the back of the building. On seeing; the constable the intruder prepared to make a hasty retreat, and as he did so the constable called: “Just a minute; we will open the door foi you.” Disregarding the constable’s invitation’the man ran through the building to tlie front door, which lie opened. Not recognising tlie constable standing on tlie pavement he began to run away but was quickly arrested. When tlie garage was searched it was found that money comprising loose change nuu been taken from the till ana unavailing efforts lmd been made to open the safe with a large spanner. The man had .gained entry by removing the panes from a small window overlooking the alleyway at the side.