ARMED BURGLAR

Northern Advocate, 27 October 1932, Page 3

ARMED BURGLAR

ROBBERIES AT YAUCLUSE,

POLICE CORDON ELUDED.

SYDNEY, October 13

An armed man, who is believed to have committed seven robberies at| Vaucluse and the surrounding district late on Friday night and early on Saturday morning, managed to elude a police cordon of about 100 men under Detective-Inspector Miller. The man spent six hours visiting houses. He was surprised several limes, but prevented pursuit by threatening householders with a revolver, and in one case an infuriated man was unable to follow him because the burglar stole his clothes. The police received their first .information that an armed thief was in rhe neighbourhood after an attempt had been made to rob the Live Wire Garage, in New South .Head Road. Mr Alec Herbert Thistleton, the manager, was busy in the garage, when a man entered and asked to be given change for a £1 note. When Thistleton opened the till the man drew an automatic pistol from an overcoat pocket and said, “Til have the lot,” The manager slammed the door in his face, and soon afterwards heard him running away.

Yauclusc police station began to receive complaints of robberies shortly afterwards. Mrs. M. E. Duff reported that a man had broken into her home in Beaulieu Street. His next appearance was at the home of Mr. L. L. Woolacott in Fitzvvilliam Road, where he stole a £1 note and some household goods. He was disturbed by an occupant, who had noticed the intruder’s torch, but he managed to escape. Loss of clothing and money was reported by Mr. W. J. Courtney, of Olola Avenue. Mr. Taylor had an exciting experience at his house in Olola Avenue about 5.15 a.m., when he was awakened by the footsteps of someone moving along the passage. He thought it was his wife, who had been injured recently in a motor car accident, and often walked about in the early morning to calm her nerves. Immediately afterwards a torch was flashed in his face. “You stop there,” said a man, who threatened him with an automatic pistol. Mr. Taylor jumped from his bed, and the burglar slammed the door and ran away. He was unable to follow, as the intruder had stolen his clothes.

About £lO was stolon from Mr. Harold Stewart’s home in Fitzwilliam Rond. Mrs. W.' McQueen, of Wentworth Road, found an electric torch on a back stop, where the burglar had evidentlv discarded it.

In the meantime, the wireless patrols and the local police had begun to scour the district. They searched without result until about S o’clock, when a man Was reported to have been seen crossing the rough ground behind the Rose Bay Convent. Cordons of police were placed across all roads and

every passerby was carefully scrutinjsed. Trams were inspected, and motor cars stopped, but no sign was found of the fugitive.

The search continued until noon, when the police were reluctantly compelled to withdraw, as it became evident that the burglar had escaped.