MOTOR CRIME GANG.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19818, 13 December 1927, Page 13

MOTOR CRIME GANG.

LONG LIST OF CHARGES. THEFT, DAMAGE AND FIRE. OPERATIONS IN DUNEDIN. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] DUNEDIN, Monday. Three of the six youthful members of the "Chevrolet Gang," who were known by that name because they' were involved in the theft or conversion of many cars of that make, have admitted being responsible for fires which were discovered on the premises of Messrs. Murray, Roberts and Company, General Motors, Ltd., and J. Lindsay. They have also admitted being responsible for the mischief and thefts committed on the same premises, and for the breaking open of postal boxes and theft of letters. One of the youths, being under 17 years of age, has been dealt with by the Juvenile Court. The charges against the other five were heard at a special "sitting of the Police Court this morning, before Mr. J. R. Bartholomew, S.M. The list of charges was as follows:—Allan Reuben Barnett. aged 21, and John McGregor Wilson, aged 18, three charges of converting motor-cars to their own use; Allan' Reuben Barnett, converting a motor-car; William Henry Martin, aged 20, five charges of converting motorcars; Barnett, Frederick Thomas West, aged 19, and Alexander Hodges, aged 17, converting a motor-car; P. Newbury, Martin and Hodges, converting a motor-car; Barnett and Martin, breaking post office letter boxes (three charges); Barnett, being in possession of an unregistered firearm; Hodges, delivering possession of an unregistered firearm to Barnett. The foregoing wore summary charges. The indictable charges were:—Martin and Barnett, setting fire to the warehouses of J. Lindsay and General Motors, Ltd., and breaking and entering the latter premises and stealing tools valued at £2; setting fire to the warehouse of Murray, Roberts and Company, breaking and entering these premises and stealing whisky and money to the value of £22 12s 6d; stealing letters, four charges; breaking and entering the shop of A. G. Sherriff, and stealing therefrom the sum of 4s; breaking and entering the same shop on another date and stealing £11; attempting to break and enter the shop of C. C. Goodley. Barnett and Hodges, breaking and entering the dwelling house of G. McKnight and stealing goods to the value of £l7 12s. The indictable cases against Barnett and Martin were taken first, all tho charges being heard together. The charge against Barnett alone, of stealing postal packets, was taken in conjunction with these. Lengthy evidence was taken on the indictable charges, and the threo accused concerned pleaded guilty and were committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. The whole five were then charged with the offences set out in the summary charges. Tho magistrate said before coming to a decision he would liko a report from the probation officer on Hodges and Wilson, who would be remanded until Wednesday for sentence. Each of the other accused was ordered to come up for sentence if called upon after being dealt with by tho Supreme Court. Hodges was released on bail,' as previously, and ordered to report each week to the police.