Bag Snatcher Describes His Technique

Northern Advocate, 17 November 1941, Page 6

Bag Snatcher Describes His Technique

TSpecial to “Northern Advocate”] AUCKLAND, This Day. A full confession of his part in the handbag robbery committed on October 28 was made by Victor George Mosen, aged 21, a labourer, when he was charged in the police court today with robbing Colin Jackson of a bag containing £305 in cash and cheques of a total value of £648. and with using personal violence to Jackson. After formal evidence had been given, Detective Gordon produced a statement signed by Mosen in which the latter stated he had watched the messenger from the Waitemata Trading Company over a period of two or three weeks. On the morning of October 28 he waited from 9.30 outside a hotel in Hobson Street for the message boy to leave the shop for the bank. Four Accomplices He followed him to Victoria Street, approached him from behind and snatched the bag. The boy held on to the bag for a moment and 'it was necessary to tap him on the arm to let go. Mosen said he then ran through the hotel to Durham Street, and handed the bag of money to a man who was in on the job, but whose name Mosen would not give. They met later and the money was split into four parts. He would not say who the others were. Mosen said his share was £BO, which he spent on rental cal’s, some champagne, and giving girls a good time. He spent the last £8 by backing Beau Vile in the Melbourne Cup. The horse lost. He was arrested by detectives after trying to cash cheque;' at Papakura. Mosen pleaded guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. i