ALLEGED LARCENZY AND RECEIVING.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXX, Issue 10111, 9 August 1893, Page 3

ALLEGED LARCENZY AND RECEIVING.

At the Christchurch Police Court yesterday, before Messrs J. P. Jameson and J. C. Atkinson, Ernest Sidney Dyer, aged eighteen, was charged with stealing; between Jan. 15 and July 20, two silver brooches, one silver match box, one sovereign case, one silver fruit knife, one set of silver studs and sleeve links, one gold ring, one silver pencil case, one gold locket, one gold albert, one greenstone pendant, one gold pin, one set of gold and malachite studs, value about £ll 2a, the property of Marcus Sandstein. Thomas George Vangioni, aged nineteen, was charged with feloniously receiving from one Ernest Sidney Dyer, between Jan, 15 and June 20, several of the abovementioned articles of jewellery, to the value of £4 12s, knowing them to have been stolen from M. Sandstein’s shop in Cashel street. William Collins, aged eighteen, was charged with feloniously receiving from Ernest Sidney Dyer, on or about March 1, several articles of jewellery value £6 10s, knowing them to have been stolen from M. Sandstein’a shop. Inspector Brobatn appeared to prosecute.

Hr Kippenberger and Mr Cassidy appeared for Vangioni and Collins. Marcus Sandstein, jeweller, deposed that Dyer had been in his employ from Deo. 1 to August 1. Vangioni and Collins had been in the employ of Mr Wright, a chemist carrying on business next door to witness’ shop in Cashel street. Dyer was employed as an errand boy. He had to be at the shop before the other employees. On Saturday, July 29, witness missed a watch, and on August 1 a silver brooch. In consequence of what witness had heard he called Dyer into his office on August 1, and questioned him about the silver brooch witness had missed. The boy said the brooch belonged to his mother, and that he had brought it to the shop to be repaired. Witness asked him where he had the brooch repaired, and he replied at Mr Strata’s. Witness said he would send for the boy’s mother, and ha at once admitted that he had stolen it out of witness’ shop. Witness then asked him what he had done with the brooch, and he replied that he had sold it to Vangioni for Is. The boy Dyer also admitted that he had sold a silver chain to Vangioni for Is. Witness then questioned Dyer about tbe gold watch, and he replied 1 that he knew nothing about it. Dyer said Vangioni knew that he (Dyer) had stolen tbe articles. Witness then sent for Mr Wright and told him what Dyer had said. Vangioni was also sent for, and witness asked him if he had received any articles from Dyer. Vangioni at first-denied, but subsequently admitted that he had received a brooch and watch-chain from Dyer. Witness and Mr Wright asked Dyer and Vangioni if they had taken any more articles. They replied that they had not. Witness sent for Dyer’s father, and when he arrived young Dyer admitted that he had taken a brooch and a chain. Vangioni came into witness’ shop several times during the afternoon and aaked witness what he intended to do. Witness said he waa very sorry that anything had happened, and told Vangioni that ho ought to have known better, as he was older and hewi the advantages of a better education than Dyer and Collins. Vangioni said he was very sorry, and would pay for the things ha had received from Dyer. Witness said it was not a question of paying. Vangioni repeatedly naked witness if he intended a prosecution. Mrs Dyer came to witness* shop with a list and soma goods, which consisted of a gold locket, chain and pendant, a gold pin and a portion ‘ of a malachite stud. Mrs Dyer said the list, given to her by her son, enumerated the articles sold to Vangioni, and the goods produced had been given to her son by Collins. Witness again sent for Vangioni and Dyer, The latter admitted that he had sold the articles produced to Vangioni. Mr Wright, who was also present, used very strong language towards Vaugioni, but offered to do what he could for him if he made a complete confession. Mr Wright afterwards said that as Vangioni had told him a lie he (Mr Wright) had dona with him. Thinking that some other boys were concerned in the robbery witness telephoned for the police, and Chief-Detective O’Coniaor arrived shortly afterwards. Tbe detective charged the boya Dyer and Vangioni with stealing and receiving jewellery from witness’shop. Dyer admitted the charge, and Vangioni said that he had received some of the articles from Dyer. That evening the detective went to the house of Dyer, who made out a list of the goods he had sold to Vangioni and Collins. Witness had missed a number of ocher articles, including gold chains and bangles, Ac. Recognised the watch chains, pin, studs, eilvecleaf fycooh.

gold bangles, pencil case, &0., produced, as bio property. The total value of the jewellery stolen would amount to .£44 3a 6d. Did not see Collins in reference to the matter. To Mr Kippenberger; Witness would not say whether or not Vangioni said ha had bought the articles from Dyer in witness 1 shop. The witness was crossexamined at considerable length in reference to the value of the articles mentioned on the lists produced. Mary Dyer, mother of the accused, Ernest Dyer, deposed that on August Ishe spoke to her son in reference to some goods alleged to have been stolen from Mr Sandstein’a shop. Her son said she had batter see the boy outside, meaning Vangioai. This was all she conld get out of him. Her son Edward came in and brought Vangioni. Witness questioned Vangioni about the jewellery robbery committed at Mr Sandstein'a shop. He said he was very sorry and that it was all his fault. Edward Dyer gave corroborative evidence. Alfred Dyer deposed that his brother Ernest told him, in the presence of Vangioni, that ha had given some of the articles of jewellery stolen from Mr Sandstein's shop to the accused Collins, who lived on the East belt. Witness wont to Collins' house, and asked him if ins (witness’) brother haijsold him any of the articles. Collins saidj'he had, and witness asked him for the articles. He went inside and brought the greenstone pendant, gold pin, gold chain and malachite stud (produced). Witness took the articles home and gave them to his father. Collins said, "I must apologise for taking these things; I do not know what made mo do it. If you want me at any time I will come.” To Mr Kippenberger: Collins at once gave witness the articles of jewellery when asked for them. He said he had paid witness.’ brother for the articles produced. Alfred Husband deposed that he bought the silver chain produced from Vangioni for 3s, about a fortnight ago. Vangioni said a boy named Simp sou gave him the chain. B. Simpson said he had never given Vangioni a silver chain. Jessie Hyndman deposed that Vangioni lived at her father’s house. He gave witness a small locket about a month ago. Florence M’Carthy deposed that Vangioni gave her the silver pencil-case produced about three months ago, Robert Frank Wood, an errand boy employed by Mr Sandst“io, deposed that he found part of the gold bangle and the silver ring produced under the stair case while sweeping in the shop on Monday last.

Chief-Detective O’Connor deposed that when he arrested Dyer and Vangioni the former made a statement to witness. He said that shortly after being employed by Mr Sandstein, Vangioni asked him for a silver brooch Which Dyer stole out of the shop and gave to him. Dyer admitted selling a silver chain, silver of silver studs, silver scarf pin, silver, match bos, sovereign case, gold ring, silver fruit knife and silver pencil-case to Vangioni at intervals. Dyer also said that Vangioni knew that he had stolen the articles named. The same play Collins came to the police station and said be bought the articles of jewellery at Mr Sandstein’s shop. This was the case for the prosecution.' For the defence Mr Kippenberger submitted that there was no case to answer so far as Collins was concerned. Mr Jameson said that as the amount Collins gave Dyer for soma of the arrives was much below their value, the Bench could not dismiss the charge against him. Mr Kippenberger then called Samuel Clarke, a jeweller, who stated that he bought two parts of a gold bangle from the accused Dyer about five or sis weeks ago. He offered witness some silver articles of jewellery, but as witness did not know where the boy’worked he refused to buy them. [The witness positively identified the accused Dyer/] Parker Crone said he gave Vangioni a silver chain and a gold locket some time ago. William Collins, one of the accused, said he bought the articles produced from Ernest Dyer at Mr Sundatein’s shop. Dyer asked him to buy the articles. Witness gave him 2s for the greenstone pendant and 5s for the chain. Witness returned them to Albert Dyer. Vangioni and Dyer reserved their defence. All the accused were committed to take their trial at the next session of the Supreme Court. Bail was allowed as before, each accused in <£so, and two sureties of £25 each.