A YOUHTFUL BURGLAR

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11224, 1 June 1922, Page 5

A YOUHTFUL BURGLAR

CAUGHT ON THE ROOF “THE GAME IS UP—I Ail RESPONSIBLE.” FORMIDABLE LIST OF CHARGES. Youthful, stalwart and wearing a carefree expression, Alexander Gemniell, for whom Mr J. O’Donovan appeared, was arraigned in the dock before Vlr F. K. Hunt, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning to answer a formidable list of charges of breaking and entering, including two of theft. Tho incident forms a- sequel to the fortunate arrest of the accused, close on midnight on May 20th, by two police officers on the roof of Messrs George Fowlds, in Manners street, when it was, found that the young man had in his possession a brief bag containing a complete burglar’s outfity 7 ChiefDetective Kemp summarised tho case as follows, whilst the accused availed himself of a seat in the prisoners’ box. “TWENTY-SEVEN CHARGES.” “There axe 27 chargee altogether, sir, and of these 25 are for breaking and entering and two for theft. The accused is a young man 21 years of ago, single, and resides at Dorking road, Brooklyn. The offences were committed between March 4th and May 20tli, and comprise mostly visits to warehouses and shops. “On eleven occasions goods were stolen, and on nine occasions money was taken. The goods represent a total of £175, and the money amounts to £2l, but I may say that all of the goods have been recovered. . . The young man was arrested on George Fowlds’s roof at 11.30 p.m. on May 20th by Constables Cooper and Jeffrey. . . He has been practically out of employment for the last two years.” HOLES BORED IN DOOR. The first witness called was YVilliani Campbell, a grocer of Manners street, who said he had been informed that someone had broken into his premises. He found that a row of holes had been bored in one of his doors situated in the drain area. By this, operation the culprit was able to gain admittance by removing the bar. An examination of the interior showed that goods comprising chocolates had been purloined. A MAN ON THE ROOF. Evidence as to the arrest of the accused on the night in question was given by Samuel F. D. Sidet, a builder, who resides at the rear of Messrs George Fowlds, Ltd. He said that shortly after ll o’clock he was retiring for the night, when his attention was attracted by the figure of a man on the roof of the building. Witness called out to him, hut received no response, and witness accordingly went for police aid. Constables Cooper and Jeffrey arrived on the scene, and, climbing on to the roof, they discovered the accused and brought him down. BEHIND A LEAN-TO. Constable Cooper said that Constable Jeffrey and himself had located the accused behind the lean-to on the roof, and had taken him in charge. When arrested the accused 6aid, "The game is up. ... I am responsible for a number of burglaries in the city, and I want to clear the matter up.” WHAT THE BAG CONTAINED. The accused had In his possession a brief hag containing a mask, two electric torches, a heavy round ebony ruler, two knives, a piece of rope and a pair of socks. He also had a. quantity of chocolates, which he admitted having stolen from the shop of William Campbell the same evening. IN THE ACCUSED’S ROOM. The following day witness and Sergeant Scott paid a visit to the residence of the accused at Brooklyn, and there found motor accessories, jewellery and other articles, all of which were taken to the Taranaki street police station. ® To Mr O’Donovan.: The accused did not offer any resistance when arrested. , Corroborative evidence was tendered by Sergeant Scott and Constable Jeffrey. Evidence in respect to the charges of breaking and entering waa then heard, it being -practically of the same nature as that detailed by the first witness. In. the afternoon further evidence was heard 1 before Messrs J. W. Ellison and W. H. Hannah, J.P.’s, and the evidenoe in the indictable charges , were concluded late in the afternoon. Detective Walsh said that he had had charge of the ease since the arrest of Gemmell. All the goods had been recovered with the exception of money, chocolates, cigarettes and Brilliantino hair polish. The -accused' pleaded guilty to all charges, and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. In respect to the summary charge of stealing a P.O. Savings Bank hook, the accused was convicted and discharged.