FUGITIVES CAUGHT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 24009, 5 July 1941, Page 10

FUGITIVES CAUGHT

WEST COAST MAN-HUNT

FARMER'S PROMPT ACTION

MESSAGE TO THE POLICE {O C) GREY MOUTH, Friday Prompt action by a farmer near Barrytown, on tbe G reymouih-West port coastal road, led to the arrest this morning of the three men responsible for tbe most, intensive iaan-hunt on the West Coast for many years. The men concerned, were ■wan**!<3 in connection with a series of alleged crimes throughout tbe Dominion, including safe-blow-

Extraordinary precautions were takes to ensure that tbe fugitives did not break through the police cordon thrown roand She whole of the West Coast- Three men called at tbe farm of Mr. H. Langridge 33 tbe Barrytown district early this morning seeking petrol. One member of tbe party said bis wife was dangerously ill in Greymouth and asked Mr. Lasgridge to oofcvey tbeni to Greymouth.

Mr. Langridge, suspicious that tbe j visitors- were the wanted men, agreed j so tbe request, bat delayed tbe® some-1 time before .setting ofi with them in I bis car lor Greymouth. Meantime he j communicated with tbe police in Grey-1 mouth and when Mr. Langridge's car; was seven miles from bis farm it was met by a police ear from Greymouth. Tbe police identified one of tbe wanted men and all three were arrested. Tbe accused later appeared be tore < Mr. G. G. Chisholm, S.M., charged J with converting a car in which they i had travelled from Blacks Point yes- , terday morning. All were described r as natives of Xew Zealand, labourers. | with no fixed abode. They are Graham j Wilfred Morton, aged 31. Leshe Jack | Davis, aged 30. and lan Carr Douglas. jj aged 26. They were remanded to ap- | ;>ear in Chmtehurch on Mouday. Tbe ear alleged to have been con-1 verted at Black s Point was found this f morning over a bank on the coastal | road about 42 miles from Greymouth. J The accused were not armed when ? arrested.