Motorists Waylaid in Wellington

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6624, 10 August 1931, Page 7

Motorists Waylaid in Wellington

ROBBERY UNDER ARMS “DEAD BODY” COMES TO LIFE Further details of tho Wellington hold-ups on Friday night show that on • the lonely road winding along tho waterfront from the Miramar wharf to Seatoun two parties of motorists proceeding round the bays were held up and robbed by two masked bandits armed with revolvers. To show thoy wero in earnest one of the bandits fired his revolver when one of the motorists flashed a torch. The bullet bit tho earth at the motorist’s feet, and tho bandit told him in no uncertain tones that if there was any more trouble the next shot would go higher. The outrage, which is the first of its kind that has occurred near Wellington for many years, was reported to tho police as soon as the first of the motorists reached a telephone, but although a special force of detectives searched tho district during the greater part of the night no arrests were made. The robbers had apparently planned the affair very carefully, for they carried out their work without the slightest hesitation and made their escapo in plenty of time.

The first car, which was held up between Miramar wharf and Shelly Bay, contained two men who were relieved of some of their personal effects, but little or no money. When the car had proceeded a short distanco past the Miramar wharf the driver saw whaJt he thought was the body of a man lying in the middle of the road. As he stopped the car and got out on to tho road to seo what was wrong, a man with a revolver stepped out from the shadows and covered him. At the same time tho “body” came to life, produced a revolver and joined his companion. The bandits then ordered the unfortunate motorists to empty their pockets, and selected certain articles. Another Car Arrives While the bandits were searching the two young men another car, driven by Mr. H. P. Vaney, of Miramar, arrived on the scene. With Mr. Vancy were his wife and two young children. Before ho realised quite what had happened ho was looking into the muzzle of a revolver and heard an order to get out of tho car. He was then searched, and his wife was eallcd upon to hand over her handbag, which contained about £4. Victims’ Story Interviewed by a reporter on Saturday, Mr. and Mrs. Vaney said that soon after they passed the Miramar wharf they saw a stationary car in the middle of the road with several men standing near it. Thinking a breakdown had occurred, they pulled up behind the ear, and were somewhat surprised to see two of the men backing towards them, with two other men facing them.

Suddenly tho two men who hud had their backs to the Vaneys’ car swung round and covered them with revolvers. Almost at tho samo moment one of the other men flashed a torch on one of tho bandits, saying that he would know him again anywhere if he saw him. At that the bandit replied with a shot which scot the dirt spitting up at the young man’s feet, and warned bin not to play tho fool.