FURS STOLEN FROM SHOP

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19456, 12 October 1926, Page 13

FURS STOLEN FROM SHOP

THEFT FROM CITY PREMISES. CHARGE AGAINST TWO MEN. GOODS TRACED BY POLICE* A sequel to the theft of a quantity of valuable furs from a shop in Wellesley Street on September 14, was tho appearance in the Police Court' yesterday of Edward Ernest Green, aged 23 (Mr. Molloy), and Vincent John Smith, who were charged before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., with breaking and entering tho dwelling of Walter Woodgrove Piatt and stealing two fur coats and 14 furs, valued at £llO 14s. Olive Piatt gavo evidence regarding the disappearance of tho furs, and said those recovered were worth about £IOO. Those not recovered were valued at £44. Edward G. Brown, second-hand dealer, said Green came into his shop on September 22, stating ho had some goods to sell. Witness went with him to Hepburn Street and there met Smith. Witness was taken into a room and the door was locked. Witness was shown two fur coats; and about a dozen furs, which Smith offered to sell for £75. Witness said it was late in the season for furs, and Green said. "Make an offer." Witness offered £4O, but said he would require to consult a friend before he could obtain tho money. Later Green offered to drive witness to see his friend. Evidence of Detectives. Detective Moon said the furs were recovered from 60. Hepburn Street, in a room occupied by Smith and two other men. Interviewed regarding tho theft of the furs, Green said he went to seo Smith. The latter asked him if he knew anyone who would buy some furs which ho had brought from the United States. Witness said he did not know a buyer, bat later he went to a second-hand dealer and took him to see Smith. Detective Barling said the furs when recovered were in a suitcase at the foot of Smith's bed. All the men in the room denied any knowledge of them. Smith said the suitcase had been left by a strange man, who had called in search for a room. A suit which had disappeared with the furs was found hanging behind the door with an overcoat ov.ned by Smith. The latter said the stianger must have placed it there. When the suitcase was opened to display the furs Smith said, "It is strange their being there all the time and us not knowing the value of them." Accused pleaded not guilty and were committed to the Supreme Court for trial. A Further Charge. A further charge of breaking and entering the dwelling of James O'Meara in Third Avenue, Kingsland, on June 14, 1923, and stealing a coat and £lB in money, was brought against Green. O'Meara gave evidence of the disappearance of the coat and the money, and said his brother had been convicted of the theft. Detective Barling said Green made a written statement, in which he said a distant relation, Norman O'Meara, invited him to his home. Accused did not know where O'Meara lived, but was taken to a house in Third Avenue, Kingsland. O'Meara went into another room for a time, but accused did not know what he was doing. O'Meara did not say that it was not his house. Next day O'Meara said he had stolen some money from his brother's house. Accused had gone to Sydney and remained there until six months ago, and since his return had been trying to keep away from his old associates. The detective added that a warrant had been issued for Green's arrest at the time of the offence. He had been quite honest about this matter. The magistrate said there was a case to answer, but it was not worth sending before a jury. As a warrant had been issued the matter had to be cleared up. The charge would be dismissed.