BURGLAR CAPTURED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21467, 15 April 1933, Page 8

BURGLAR CAPTURED

TWO PLUCKY WOMEN STRUGGLE IN DARKNESS WIDOW'S PRESENCE OF MIND [BY TEIiEGRAFH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] WELLINGTON. Friday All 'intruder in a house in Palmer Street was captured by two women at an early hour yesterday morning. At about 3 a.m. Mrs. Mary Hyde, who is the widow of the lato licensee of the Panama Hotel, was asleep in her room in the upper storey of 26 Palmer Street and was awakened by the sound of somebody moving about 011 the floor below. A plan of campaign quickly formed in her mind. She decided to wait until he should come upstairs to her room. She had not long to wait, and the man entered tho room on bis hands and knees. Mrs. Hyde, who harl remained perfectly calm, jumped out of bed and ran to the floor, which had the key on the inside. She intended to lock tho door, but as she fumbled with the key, it fell out of tho latch and on to tho floor. » The noise drew the intruder s attention to his predicament. He rushed to tho door and Mrs. Hyde closed with him. The two struggled out of the room and 011 to the landing. Mrs. Mary Kavanagh, mother of Mrs. Hyde, also was aroused. She went to her daughter's assistance, and the man was secured at the foot of the stairs. The women then called for help and the whole street was aroused. Ihrec or four men quickly arrived and held the man until the police arrived. The whole struggle took place in complete darkness, as tho burglar had pulled the fuses from the switchboard. The man had entered the house by means of a ladder placed against a window. About a year ago the same house was burgled and on that occasion Mr. Hyde caught the intruder. A man later appeared in the Police Court on a charge of breaking and entering with intent to commit theft and was remanded until April 18.