THIEF SNATCHES PURSE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21937, 22 October 1934, Page 8

THIEF SNATCHES PURSE

INCIDENT AT ELLERSLIE TWO PURSUERS ELUDED 1 A daring instance of bag-snatching occurred in Panmure Road, Ellerslie, about a-quarter of a mile from the Great South Road tram terminus, at about 8.15 on Friday night. The thief eluded two pursuers and finally escaped across some paddocks. As Mrs. Mary Peterson, of 51 Panrriure -Read, was walking home laden with parcels she was overtaken by a well-dressed young man, who remarked that she was well laden. Adding, "You do not want this," he attempted to wrest Mrs. Peterson's handbag from her. A scuffle ensued, the woman being handicapped by a bag containing part'" eels, and the young man succeeded in making off with the purse, which contained about £2. A cyclist was attracted by Mrs. Peterson's screams and he set off in the direction the thief had taken. About 30 yards along Panmure Road the cyclist turned into Walpole "Eoad. There a young man, who is believed to 1)e the bag-snatcher, put his pursuer off by saying the thief had gone in a different direction. 4 A little later the young man was found in the backyard of a house by the owner, who did not become unduly suspicious. However, when the young man escaped over a hedge, the householder realised something was amiss. Both he and the cyclist, who again saw the suspect, gave chaise, but the man escaped.