SYDNEY BANK ROBBERY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20724, 18 November 1930, Page 11

SYDNEY BANK ROBBERY.

THIEF SEIZES £4OO. TELLER INJURED IN EYES. USE OF AMMONIA SPRAY. Using a powerful water pistol to squirt liquid ammonia into tho fare of a teller at the State Government Savings Bank in Martin Place, Sydney, last, Wednesday morning, a daring tliief seized £4OO in £5 notes and escaped whilst his victim was temporarily Minded. Clerks and other tellers, summoned hv the injured teller's cries of pain, chased the criminal as he rushed down the steps into Castlereagh Street. Reaching the street, he mingled with tho crowds on the footpaths and was lost to sight. Mr. Robert Reginald Dargan, the teller, was bending over the little stack of £5 notes when the crime was committed. Beside hirn was an open drawer containing more than £IOOO, but the robber, though he apparently tried to, could not reach this money. The entrance of the robber, the blinding of the teller, the actual theft of the bundle of bankotcs and then the flight and disappearance of the man, all occurred so swiftly that there is no very clear description of him available to the detectives inquiring into the case. However, the numbers of tho banknotes are known. This, it is expected, will assist in tracing the stolen money, and, possibly, the thief.

Mr. Dargan was taken to Sydney Hospital, and was treated for severe ammonia burns to the faco and eyes. His pain was so intense and such a quantity of the liquid had been sprayed over him that it was at first thought that he would be permanently blinded. The quick medical treatment he received, however, eased his pain and mitigated his injuries. Later he returned to the bank, hut was sent home to rest. His eyes, it is thought, may be slightly affected. Appearance of the Robber.

No one paid particular attention to tho tall, thin, respectably-dressed man who followed tho bank officials through the Castlereagh Street door of the bank about 10 o'clock. Each man went to his department and for a few moments there was no one standing in the public space before the tellers' boxes. Then the man made up his mind to act quickly. He placed his hand in his pocket and sidled up to tho grille in front of /the teller's compartment.

Mr. Dargan looked up from checking tho banknotes. As he did so tho robber jerked his hand from his pocket, producing some dark instrument, like an automatic pistol, with a short, thick barrel. Immediately a stream of blinding liquid, smelling strongly of ammonia, shot into Mr. Dargan's eyes. The pain was so terrible that the injured man could hardly remain on his feet. His desperate cries for assistance echoed through tho building and alarmed dozens of his companions. The robber swept his hand under tho lower bar of the grille and seized tho bundle of banknotes, but cou,ld not reach the greater portion. Then he ran desperately for the stairs, which lead to tho Castlereagh Street door. Mr. Kenneth Breakspear jumped over his counter with several of his associates and chased the fugitive. However, the man had too good a start and when they reached the street ho had disappeared. A few minutes after the robbery De-tective-Sergeants Garlick and Matthews, Detectives Almond and Geldart and other police arrived at the bank. They were hopeful that the description of the man, though meagre, might enable them to make an early arrest. Mr. Dargan Tells His Story. Seen shortly after the attempt, Mr. Dargan was too affected by his experience to recall what had happened. "It all occurred so swiftly that I hardly know any more than anyone else," ho said. "I was checking the money which had been given out by the head teller. It was too early for the morning customers, so I was surprised when a shadow fell across the glass. I looked up and saw a tall man with something m his hafid. As soon as he saw me looking at him he squeezed it and a liquid shot into my eyes. "The pain was so dreadful that I cried out at tho top of my voice and staggered back from the counter. A minute afterwards some of my friends reached me and I was taken to hospital." As soon as the hue and cry had been raised a hasty summons was sent to the Criminal Investigation Branch and its efficiency was quickly tested. The police telephone operator immediately set tho alarm bells clanging in tho corridors and the great iron gates woie swung open. A constable briefly informed the driver of what is known as the "hold-up car" of his destination and detectives, somo of whom had not had time to snatch up their hats, sprang on the footboards of tho car and tumbled inside as it began to race down into George Street. "Didn't Know There Was One."

Showing tho police sign, it raced down George Street, disregarding all traffic rules, while tho driver shouted to those behind, for they did not know wliero they were going: "Big hold-up at the Government Bank. . .1 oiler been attacked. The car rushed down Martin Place and before it had come to a standstill the detectives were vaulting out. Some sprinted to the Martin Place and Elizabeth Street entrances, while others blocked tho Castlereagh Street doors. Nobody was to enter or leave the building. "Where was the hold-up?" inquired a breathless detective of one of tho commissionaires.

"Eh?" was the answer. "Where was the holdup? I am from the police." "Didn't know there was one,' / replied the commissionaire with perfect composure.