SERIES OF BURGLARIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21910, 20 September 1934, Page 13

SERIES OF BURGLARIES

WELLINGTON HOUSES TWO SUSPECTS IN COURT ALLEGATIONS BY POLICE [by telegraph—own correspondent] WELLINGTON, Wednesday Twenty-eight witnesses seated arounrl the Courtroom, and a miscellaneous collection of doors, boxes, wood and household odds and ends placed against one of the walls, gave the Wellington Police Court the appearance of an auction room just before a sale this morning, when the police proceeded with nine charges against Arthur Cudby and Mervyn John Cudby, agdd 36 and 32 respectively, of breaking and entering various houses in and round Wellington.

The accused were also charged with being found in possession of housebreaking instruments, threO jemmies, two torches, and two pairs of gloves. Mr. J. Miller, S.M.. was on the Bench, Sub-Inspoctor Carroll prosecuted, and Mr. R. H. Boys appeared for both accused.

Describing the arrests. Constable P. Anderson said he had bcien instructed to look out for a certain green car with a black hood, and had observed it parked in a street at Lyall Bay. He at once summoned Detectives Wnterson and Robinson. The three of th6m concealed themselves behind a hedge close to the car and waited until the two accused appeared. The police then emerged from their hiding place and asked. the two men what they were doing there, continued witness. One of the accused, who was carrying a small crowbar, hooked round his neck under his overcoat, replied that they had been to a rubbish tip to obtain a bracket for the mudguard of a car. Both men were wearing gloves. They had in their possession burglars' tools and torches.

Further police evidence revealed that in the period between June 1 and August 20 of this year 117 houses had been broken into in Wellington and tho suburbs and over £586 stolen. The police suspected the accused of being the principal offenders. The pass-books of Mervyn John Cudby and Mrs. Cudby indicated that approximately £IOO had been deposited between those dates and £43 was discovered in Mrs. Cudby's handbag when their house was searched. Shown a list of houses that had been broken into one of the accused had ticked off on it houses which he had entered. The case was adjourned.