BANK TELLERS MESMERISED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 10 February 1933, Page 5

BANK TELLERS MESMERISED

ALLEGED THEFTS BY GREEK GIPSY

FURTHER PROSECUTIONS AT AUCKLAND

(By Telegraph—Press Association)

AUCKLAND, This Day. Stephen Sterio (25), the Greek gipsy who appeared in the Police Court yesterday and who was to have gone south under a police escort last night prior to deportation, appeared in the Police l Court to-day on four charges of stealing sums of £35, £l, £7, and £lO. In reply to the Magistrate’s question the prosecuting police officer said the police since yesterday had found out that accused last Wednesday had paid visits to four banks in the city, mesmerised the tellers, and taken them down. ' The police wanted the case adjourned pending information from Australia, as accused possessed a considerable sum of Australian money. Accused was remanded for a week. In a case heard yesterday it was stated that Sterio called at a barber’s shop kept by Barney Elias, and offered to tell his fortune. He stared at Elias, who felt himself become spellbound. He was asked for money, and produced silver, which accused “blessed.” Accused then asked for notes, and Elias unlocked a safe and took out all the notes he had. After some time, accused left the sTTop. Elias then felt better, but discovered that he was £f> 4s lOd short in his cash.