THE VICTORIA-STREET BURGLARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11825, 30 November 1901, Page 3

THE VICTORIA-STREET BURGLARY.

ACCUSED IX COUR'i

At the Police Court yesterday two young; men, Harold Pagan and Henry Bell, on remand, were charged that they did on the night of the 22nd inst., at Auckland, break and enter the premises of Robert Row, situate in Victoria-street, and steal therefrom four boxes of cigars, two boxes of cigsrettos. 31b of tobacco, and 21b of candles, the total value of £3 10s.

Pagan was represented by Mr. C. J. Parr. Robert- Rew, grocery merchant, Viitoriastreet. said that when he left his premises at seven o'clock on Friday evening, the 22nd inst., the doors, etc:, were securely bolted up. Early the following morning (Saturday) he was requested by the police, to come down to his shop, and arrived there at about five o'clock. On examination of his premises inside lie discovered that the safe had been meddled with. Practically all the brass facings on the safe— particularly covering the keyholehad been either extensively damaged or completely knocked off. Alongside the safe were several screwdrivers. Lying on the floor of one of tho rooms of his premises was a sack, in which there were several boxes of cigars, cigarettes, etc. Nothing had been removed from his premises. There was a small hole in a wall of his premises, and on the morning in question it had been considerably enlarged. Witness' premises adjoining "the stable of Air. Pagan, senior's butchering establishment. Constable Murray, who was on duty in Victoria-street, on the night in question, said that when he was passing by Rew's premises, shortly after midnight, he noticed the reflection of a faint light in the building. He took a glimpse through one of the windows of the shop, and there saw a man moving about with a light in his hand. He sought the assistance of several civilians, who surrounded the premises. Subsequently he saw a man make a smart exit from the stable at the roar of the building, and in doing so he leaped over tho wall into Albert-street, and successfully escaped. Several persons went in pursuit, but they failed to capture the man. _ He also heard someone else inside (he building. On searching the premises he discovered a pair of boots and a straw hat. When Detective Mellveney arrived on the scene they both visited Mr. Pagan senior's i house, adjacent, and in a room found Harold Pagan asleep in bed, and after arousing him they severely cross-examined him. Afterwards Bell was brought to the High-street station, and whan questioned regarding the boots and hat he identified them as being his own, and witness also noticed that the soles of his feet were blistered somewhat. Subsequently witness arrested Harold Pagan, and on his way to the station the latter said to witness, "What will I get for this?" and then, "I'm sorry for my father. I don't know what he'll do without me when I'm away." Detective Mellveney said that in consequence of information he received early in the morning of the 23rd inst., lie went to Row's premises. When Constable Murray showed him the pair of boots, he was of opinion that they wore those of a. person employed in the butchery business. He then went to Mr. Pagan senior's butchery establishment, one door away from Row's premises. On disturbing Harold Pagan, who was in bed, he put several questions to him. He noticed a pair of socks at the foot of the bed. and on picking them up he discovered that ho had been out in his socks without his boots, as they were very muddy. He also noticed that the socks and a pair of trousers had several spots of candle grease on them, as if he had been carrying a lighted candle when wearing the garments. On being asked to account for the mud and grease on his clothes Harold Fagan said that he had been outside to a tap to get some water. Witness afterwards waited at the shop for Bed. who arrived at a quarter to six a.m. Witness noticed that he was wearing a pair of boots much too large for him. Witness questioned Bell regarding the boots, and the latter said that the boots lie wore the previous night were at home. Witness subsequently took Bell to the station, where ho asked Bell to try on one of the boots found on Rew's pre. mises. The boot belonged to the left foot, and it fitted his foot exactly, and Bell said "Fes; these are my boats," and also said that the hat was his property. Bell was then arrosted, and when witness was about to put him in the cells he confessed to breaking into Row's shop, and also said that Harold Fagan was concerned in the affair.

This concluded the evidence. and on the charge being read out to Bell he pleaded guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. Mr. Parr said that Harold Fagan pleaded not guilty, and lie was committed to the Supreme Court for trial.