BURGLAR TRAP

Hokitika Guardian, 28 August 1939, Page 6

BURGLAR TRAP

WOMAN’S COURAGEOUS PLAN. (I’je^^si^^^tiopy^^rigUt),'^ || I) A RGAV]LLE; : A u#'ist 26vA courageous plan by a. married woman to trap a burglar in her home at night’was carried into effect at Dargaville last- evening. It worked with success until the burglar made a dash and evaded capture on account of his fleetness of foot, though not before lie was struck over the head hv a woman with an axe handle.

'[’lie woman was Mrs M. Poke, residing in Victoria. Roar]. She usually leaves the home unoccupied on Friday evening to relieve her husband in his shop for tea. About two weeks ago the house was entered during this interval. Last evening Mrs Peko evolved a plan which slm operated [wt her own with a marked degree, of ijm-oeßs. Instead of going to the ship ’EtW'’front bedroom window pSxti|||nishei) the lights, and reni||fne(lff|i iff? darkness of the Jjf Everything was still unfit dbbut 6.45 p.m., when she heard an intruder approaching the front of the house. She then heard him enter a bedroom by the window which, was left open. She approached the bedroom, switched on the lighter aml saw a young .man, a stranger to her. “You have got me this time and 1 suppose you are going to ring the police,” lie said. Mrs Peko turned to use the telephone to inform the police. AVbile doing so the man hurriedly escaped. She picked up an axe handle and chased , petite side of the road. His bicycle was 1 yl|g against a hedge ._ Asy- he jy as 1 in'Mnting,'Wri4':s i eko hii%3naoe ground ■ a (tip n.' across ! head, ' although the b)ow_did not | pyfyvont t lie 1 ,t se api p g. . Rer ! caff for was /AlisweredlLy I neighbours. Sergeant F. Culloty searched nearby ‘streets and roads in various' directions. No trace of the man could be found.