ALLEGED SAFE ROBBERY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18016, 15 February 1922, Page 9

ALLEGED SAFE ROBBERY

ACCUSED BEFORE COURT.

TWO UNSIGNED STATEMENTS

COMMITTAL FOR TRIAL.

The hearing of the charges of breaking and entering the Paekakariki refreshment rooms, on the night of January 7, occupied over 12 hours at the Masterton Police Court on Saturday last. Percy Martin Carmichael and Eric Malcolm Biel were charged before Mr. Free, S.M., that, on or about tho night named they broke and entered tho Paekakariki railway refreshment rooms, and stole ono Chubb safe, the property of William Fisher Thompson, containing 127 sovereigns, £51 in silver, two fire insurance policies, one birth certificate, and a proficiency certificate, of a total value of £204. There were 20 witnesses for the police. At the conclusion of the case both men were committed for trial.

W, E. Lewis, seuior detective, of Wellington, stated that he took Carmichael to tho Masterton police station on January 23. He read a statement which Carmichael had made, but which he would not sign. Thomas Kemp, chief detective at Wellington, said be arrested Biel on tho Trenthara racecourse on January 23. Biel was searched, and the sum of 6s 9d was found. He was taken to the Wellington police station, where he made a statement which he refused to sign. Samuel Beattie, labourer, of Masterton, said he had known Biel for six months, but did not know Carmichael very well. A couple of months before Christmas Biel told him he knew a place where there was £400 in gold and that it would be easy to get at. Biel said the money was at the Paokakariki refreshment rooms, and if they got the safe during the holidays all the holiday takings would be in it. The first suggestion was made at the Central Hotel, Masterton. There was no one else present. On January 7 the two accused made similar suggestions at a garage. He was then asked to go to Paekakariki that night. If they could get a car it would be all right, said Biel.

Witness again refused to [have anything to do with it. Carmichaol then came in and said: " Do you know what he wants us to do?" Witness replied, " No," and Carmichael said: " He wants you and me to sit in the car while he gets the safo," Witness replied; "No, not at any price." Biel knew he had used explosives. Biel suggested that witness should get a stick of gelignite to blow up the safe. Witness next saw Biel on the afternoon of Tuesday, January 10. at the garage. Biel asked him if he had seen the newspaper. Witness said: " Yes, I see you pulled it off." Biel replied: " i'es, but we could not open it. We were too tired. We dumped it over a bank at Moonshine Hill and covered it over with straw and bushes." Biel said they had brought the safe no further because it was too heavy for the car. John Hunt, plain-clothes constable, Wellington, gave evidence as to finding the safe blown open in Moonshine Valley.

George Edward Weaver, motor garage proprietor, of Masterton, said he knew Carraichael and Biel, the latter having formerly been in his employ. Biel had left witness of his own accord. He was a very smart man at his trade. Gunn's car was put into his garage on Sunday night, January 15. Gunn gave permission to Biel to take the car for a spin, but wanted it taken back to the garage, as he intended taking it out again on Monday morning. When he arrived at the garage at 5.50 a.m. on Monday he found Biel asleep in tho rear seat of Gunn's car. He looked as though ho had been working as his face was black. Witness woke B ; el, and told him he had better got some breakfast. Biel said he had been drinkine the previous night, and was sleeping off tho effects. The engine of Gunn's car was warm. This suggested to witness that the oar had recently been returned to the garage. Several other witnesses stated that accused had paid them in gold.