SAFE ROBBERY

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

SAFE ROBBERY

<3*. PAEKAKARIKI BURGLARY ALLEGED RECEIVER OF STOLEN MONEY SENT TO TRIAL. ACCOMPLICE GIVES EVIDENCE. (By Telegraph.—Special to ‘'Times.”) MASTERTON, May 31. At the Police Court to-day, Jameo Thomson was charged that, on January 18th, at Moonshine Tlill, he did receive about 2S sovereigns and £l2 in silver, snch money having been obtained through a crime committed by Percy Carmichael and Eric Biel, the accused knowing of the theft at the time. Air W. Noble appeared for accused. Eric Malcolm Biel, who is undergoing a term of imprisonment in Wellington gaol in connection with the Paekakariki safe robbery, and whotvas one of the three men who committed the safe robbery there on January 17th last, was a witness. Biel said he went to Paekakariki in a car belonging to Thomas McKenzie, farmer, then of Westbush road. Carmichael and another man, Air X, a» companied him. The rooms were bro ken into, the safe removed, and taken away in the motor-car. The safe was put over a bank at Moonshine Hill, after which they returned home. Witness said he had known Thomson, in Wellington, prior to his coming to Alasterton. Thomson first knew of the safe rbbbery on Monday, January 16th. They first discussed the matter in Weaver’s garage. Mr X was in the garage talking to witness, and Thomson was also there. “WHAT ABOUT COMING IN?” Air X was passing remarks about the safe. He was talking about a meat safe, but was referring to the Paekakariki safe. Thomson remarked, “I believe you know something about that Paekakariki safe, and that it had been put over Moonshine Hill.’’ Thomson asked, “What about me coming in it?” They then made arrangements to go and get the safe the first chance they got. Witness! told Thomson about the robbery of the safe from Paekakariki, and told him that he could get Gunn’s car any time he was ready to go. Subsequently witness, Thomson, and Carmichael went to. where the safe was hidden. Witness , and Thomson went down to the safe, and Carmichael stayed up on the road, being frightened to come down. AFRAID OF POLICE TRAP. Carmichael was frightened that there might be a police trap down where the safe was. Witness took some tools out of the car, and took them down with him, They included a drill, chisel, and other tools. Thomson was game, and went down first. Witness said he had the wind up, too, and thought there might be somebody down tljere. Thomson put a tyre lever in his pocket, and said, “Well, we’ll put up a fight if there is anybody there.” When they got down, they conversed openly, and made out they were looking for water for the car, in case anybody was in hiding. They found the safe, and Thomson blew it open. They then drove to the top of the Rimutakas, where they stopped, and divided up the money. HOW THE MONEY WAS DIVIDED. They stopped right on the summit, and went into a tin hut there. Inside the hut they tipped all the money out on to the floor and counted it. They got 28 sovereigns each. Witness took his own share, putting the coin in an old handkerchief, and placing it in his pocket. Thomson and Carmichael placed theirs in their pockets. The fourth man’s share witness put in some old. rag, and put it in his pocket. The silver was divided by them taking ten heaps each for a start, and then each took two more heaps. The fourth man’s share was put on one side. They then returned to Masterton. After Biel had given further evidence, His Worship said that, in his opinion, there was sufficient corroboration to send the case to a jury. COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. Accused, who pleaded not guilty, was committed for trial at the next sittings of the Supreme Court in Wellington. Bail was allowed in a sum of £2OO and two sureties of £IOO each. The accused is to report twice each week to the nolice in Masterton. Reginald W. Gunn, taxi-driver of Alasterton, who appeared' on a similar charge to that prefered against Thomson, was also committed for trial.