DARING ARMED ROBBERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20947, 10 August 1931, Page 10

DARING ARMED ROBBERS.

THE WELLINGTON HOLD-UPS

SHOT FIRED AS WARNING.

ORDEAL FOR MOTORISTS.

SEARCH BY DETECTIVES.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Sunday.

A force of detectives is engaged in the search for the robbers armed with revolvers who helcl up two motor-cars in Miramar on Friday evening. So far no clue has been discovered which may lead to the tracing of the bandits. As both rnen wore masks their identification may prove difficult.

The fact that one of the thieves fired a shot shows that they are determined criminals. The shot was fired when one of the motorists flashed his torch. The bullet kicked up the dust on the road, the robber saying: "The next will go higher if there is any funny business." The robbers apparently had planned the affair very carefully, for they carried out their work without the slightest hesitation ond made their escape in plenty of time. The first car, which was held up between the Miramar Wharf and Shelly Bay, contained two young men, who were relieved of some personal effects but little or no money. When the car had proceeded a short distance past the Miramar Wharf the driver saw what ho thought was the body of a man lying in the middle of the road. As he stopped the car and got out on to the road to see what was wrong a man with a revolver stepped out from the shadows and covered him. At the same time the " body " camo to life, produced a revolver, and joined his companion. The bandits then ordered the motorists to empty their jiockets, and they then selected certain articles: . Arrival of Second Car. While the thieves were searching these motorists another car, driven by Mr. H. P. Yaney, of Miramar, arrived. Mr. Yaney : was with his wife and two young children. Before he realised quite what had happened he was looking into the muzzle of a,, revolver and heard an order to get Out of the car. He was then searched and his wife was called upon to hand over her handbag, which contained about £4. Mr. and Mrs. Yaney said that soon after they had passed the Miramar Wharf they saw a stationary car in the middle of the road with several men standing

near it. They pulled up behind the car and were surprised to see two of the men /backing toward them, with two other men facing them. Suddenly the two men "who had their backs to Mr. Vaney's car swung round and covered them with reTolvers. Almost at the same moment one of the other men flashed a torch on one of the bandits, saying ho would know them again anywhere if ho saw them. At this the robber replied with a shot. The thieves, who had black masks cover- ! ing their faces and were wearing very old clothes, then ordered the two young men in tho first car to drive on, and turned their attention to tho Yaney family. Revolver Thrust Into Side. Mr. Yaney had a revolver thrust into , his side by tho smaller of the two bandits, who went through his pockets. Mr. [Vaney was carrying nothing of any value. Ono of tho robbers then turned to Mrs. Yaney and demanded her purse. Ho collected all the money it contained. The j taller of the two bandits appeared to be the leader and for most of the time he stood some distance away, keeping the party covered with his revolver. Having completed their search tho bandits ordered tho Vaneys back into tho car and told them to drive in the direc- , tion of Seatoun. Mr. Yaney was unable to get his self-starter to work. As he got out to crank the car tho bandits, "who had started to walk off in tho direction of tho Miramar Wharf, swung round

and covered him with their revolvers.

They said that if he " did not get a move on" they would put a shot through the car. Mr. Vaney finally got the car going again and proceeded to Seatoun, where he telephoned to the police. The first car had been driven to the Mount,Crawford prison, where notification was also sent to the police.