Dramatic Arrest

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 7104, 13 March 1933, Page 10

Dramatic Arrest

EIGHT ON LONELY ROAD. REVOLVER AND BATON USED. Dramatic incidents followed the finding of a motor-car containing housebreaking instruments at Rockdale early one morning lately, says a Sydney paper.

Constables Vogan and Lambert, who were patrolling together, made a hurried search, but no one was in the vicinity. Then Constable Vogan hid behind a hedge near the road to watch the motor car, while his companion summoned aid. Constable Lambert was informed by officers at the criminal investigation branch that tho motor-car had a false number-plate, and he was told that the Western Suburbs wireless patrol would bo sent. Ho was to guard tho car until its arrival.

On his way back to the motor-car two men, who wore walking slowly along the road, almost bumped into the constable in the darkness. They were unable to explain their presence, and Constablo Lambert seized them.

The two men fought desperately, and there was a fierce struggle on the lonely road. The constable drew his baton and struck one of the men a heavy blow on the head. He was unable to subdue the other man, who broke away and fled, although he had suffered several blows from tho baton. The policeman did not follow him, but took tihe man 110 had seized to Rockdale Police Station.

On the way the suspect is alleged to liavo thrown a revolver into a paddock bes’ide the road. After the man had been placed in a cell Constable Lambert returned and found a revolver behind a hedge. It was stated that the weapon was similar to one stolen a fortnight previously when the police disturbed some men and found that a safe had been tampered with and that explosive in tho door was ready for detonation by electric wires, which led into an adjacent room.

While Constablo Lambert was busy with the man he had arrested, Constable Vogan, behind the hedge, did not know what was happening. After sonic time be saw a man walk to the motor-car and seat himself ift the driving seat. Constable Vogan ran to the Toad, and tho man jumped out on the opposite side of the car. He ran desperately and did not stop when tho policeman challenged him. A shot failed to arrest his progress, and he made his escape into the scrub. In the meantime the Western Suburbs wireless patrol had raced to the scene. Constablo Vogan told the detectives what had happened, but a search of the locality was unsuccessful. The car was taken into the possession of the police. Electric batteries, wiring, detonators, gelignite, hack-saws, and other instruments were in the car.