Lost Ring and Ransom

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 225, 24 September 1935, Page 7

Lost Ring and Ransom

Police Set Trap for Suspect

STRANGE STORY UNFOLDED

IN COURT

Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Last Night,

In the Police Court to-day Veronica Pope, a dressmaker, aged 21, was charged with stealing on September 4 a diamond ring valued at £SO the property of Norinc Stott, with obtainiug credit by fraud of £5 and with stealiug £5 also the property of Mrs. Stott.

Scnior-Detcetivc Hall prosecuted. Accused, who was represented by Mr. Sullivan, pleaded not guilty. Norine Stott said that ou September 4 she placed her diamond ring on the sideboard at her home. She went out and returning a few minutes later discovered the ring was missing. Accused, who conducted a business a few doors from her shop and often visited her, called Jater in the day and on being told of the loss of the ring she said witness could search her if, she liked. Some day s Jater she called to sec accused and told her she was very' worried about the Joss of tho ring and suggested advertising for it. Accusedsaid: “What about some of those ransom stunts in America? This is where a third party comes in. If I were to write a letter to accompany the advertisement you could use my place as a depot for receiving the ring and t would pay out the reward.” She suggested a reward of £lO, but witness said she could not afford it and £5 was decided on. Next day witness, a friend and accused drafted a letter, mostly at accused’s dictation. The advertise-

ment was inserted in a newspaper referriug to this letter which could bo picked up at the newspaper office. Tho letter slated it was known the rin" had been taken and a guarantee was gd\ cu that nothing iurthcr would be done or said about the matter if the ring was returned and a reward of £-j was offered. The reward would be given by a totally disinterested third paity' who was under the impression that the money was for repairs. Whoever returned the ring would be perfectly' sate irom recognition. Continuing, witness gave evidence of conversations with accused which were overheard by a detective in the bathroom of witness’ house. She gave accused £5 for the reward and on October I-. accused came in and. said she had great news. The ring was as good as found because the letter had been lifted from the newspaper office. Slio said she had not been to town but had rung the office to inquire. Next day' accused came in saying “Quick, quick! Is this it?” She was holding the ring. Who was then arrested by the detective.

Two clerks gave evidence that accused visited the newspaper office on toe morning of September 12 and askon ioi the letter which was given to her.

Detective McLean described overhealing at Mrs. Stott's house conversations with accused about' tho possibility ot: the ring being returned. Ho saw hei take tho ietter from tho newspapci office and followed her homo from there.

Asked who gave her tho ring after sho had been arrested, accused said a man with a bicycle had handed it to her only two or throe minutes previously. He was wearing a light tweed suit. Ehe had only seen him for a few seconds. lie mumbled somebhing about icpaiis and s'iic .handed him £5.

Mr. Sullivan said the . evidence on the theft charge was exceedingly light and accused had a complete answer to the accusations. He would ask that her name be suppressed in the meantime.

Magistrate Hunt committed accused to the Supreme -Court for trial, bail of £SO being allowed. Ho refused to suppress her name.