PICKPOCKETS ACTIVE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19806, 29 November 1927, Page 13

PICKPOCKETS ACTIVE.

MIXING WITH RACE CROWD.

DETECTIVES ARREST SIX MEN.

VARIOUS CHARGES IN COURT.

A statement that pickpockets and thieves were active at Devonport on Saturday, on the occasion of the Takapuna races, was made in the Police Court yesterday, when six men, arrested by detectives, were charged before Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M. Charges of being idle and disorderly in that they consorted with reputed thieves were preferred against Walter Raymond Sutherland, aged 41, Jack Larkin, aged 33, Victor Henry Thomas, aged 30, and John Henry Fitzgerald, aged 39. Sutherland, Thomas and Trevor Leonard Richard Cunning ham, aged 35, were further charged with frequenting Victoria Road, Devonport, with a felonious intent, and Boe Griffis, alias G. Ray, alias M. Reid, aged 28, was charged with stealing £1 from William McKearnan. Detectives said all the accused had been loitering about Devonport on Saturday, accosting drunken men and mixing with race crowds with the idea of robbing people and picking their pockets. While some wedged their way in the crowds and joined the rush for hoats others skirted the outside watching their companions at work, being prepared to give warnings if necessary "Griffis was caught in the act of picking a pocket." said Chief-Detective Cummings In his evidence against Thomas, Detective White said: "When four or five men of the calibre of the accused get together they are a danger to the public ' According to the chief detective, Cunningham had taken liquor and, having met the others at Devonport, was induced to work with them In order that they might prepare their defence, Sutherland, Fitzgerald, Larkin and Griflis were remanded to appear today. Police evidence established the charges against Thomas, who pleaded not guilty. He was sentenced to three months' imprisonment for being in Victoria Road, while on the other charge he was ordered to come up for sentence if called upon within 12 months. A plea of guilty was entered by Cunningham, who was ordered to corne up for sentence if called upon within two years. He consented to the issue of a prohibition order.