"CONVERSION" OF CARS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19809, 2 December 1927, Page 14

"CONVERSION" OF CARS.

OFFENCES IN DUNEDIN. CHARGES AGAINST YOUTHS " A TROUBLESOME GANG." [UY TELEGItAPIf. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] DUNEDIN, Thursday: Investigations by tho police into a series of cases of "conversion" of motorcars and other offences led to the appearance in the Police Court this morning of six young men and youths. They were Allan Reuben Barnett, aged 21; Alexander Hodges, aged 17; William Henry Martin, aged 20; Frederick Thomas West, aged 19; John McGfregor Wilson, aged 18; and a youth under 17 years of age. Barnett and Hodges were jointly charged with breaking and entering the dwelling of George McKnight, Company's Bay, and stealing goods valued at £l2 2s 6d; Barnett and Wilson, with converting to their use a motor-car valued at £2OO. the property of Albert Joseph Morris; Barnett, Martin and the sixteen-year-old youth, with breaking and entering the shop of Arthur Grant Sherriff, and stealing about £ll in money; and West, Barnett and Hodges, with converting to their use a motor-car valued at £IOO/ the property of Cecil Haden Tait. Mr. C. J. L. White appeared for Wilson and Hodges, and, on behalf of Mr. Hanlon, for Martin. Mr. John Wilkinson appeared for West.

Number of Cars Removed. Detective Beer said that for almost twelve months there had been complaints regarding the illegal use of Chevrolet motor-cars. Indeed the accused youths might be called "the Chevrolet Gang, ' as they confined their attentions to that make of car. They had removed the cars from various parking areas in the city and from round the Carisbrook Ground. It was proposed to ask for a remand until next Wednesday, as a number of fresh charges were pending against the accused, said the detective. Barnett and Martin would be charged with breaking open several letter boxes and stealing the letters. There would also be further charges of breaking and entering against these two, who were the principals in the gang, and against West. Wilson and West would probably be associated with tha others in charges of "conversion." The gang has given the police an infinite amount of trouble, continued Detective Beer, and in addition to this owners of Chevrolet cars have been afraid to leave them unattended. Detective Opposes Bail. Mr. White said he had no objection to' the remand, and understood that neither Wilson nor Hodges desired bail. Martin, however, wanted bail, and if the magistrate saw fit to grant bail counsel asked that it be granted to all. Mr. White asked for suppression of the names of the accused until the facts had been investigated.

Mr. Wilkinson also asked for bail and foi: the suppression of his client's name. Detective Beer objected to bail being granted. He said the accused bad given a lot of trouble, and it would be as well to keep them apart. The Magistrate, Mr. J. It. Bartholomew: One of the accused, I understand, is just under 17. That makes him a juvenile under the amended Act. The magistrate said that all the accused, with the exception of the juvenile, would be remanded until Wednesday. As they had admitted the charges there was no reason why their names should be suppressed. They were a mischievous gang, and should not be set at liberty. Bail would therefore be refused. in regard to tho juvenile an older would be made suppressing bis name, and ho would be dealt with in the Juvenile Court. In the meantime he would be under the supervision of the child welfare officer.