BICYCLE APPROPRIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14156, 7 March 1908, Page 10

BICYCLE APPROPRIATION.

v . AN IMPUDENT THIEF, (Paost Oue Own Corresposdbxt.) '■ ■ OHBIiSTCHUBCH,-' March 6. Tho Polico Court'somewhat.resembled • second hand bicycle; shop this morning, the detectives having in evidence a - colJeetion of no lc6i than eight machines inconnection with a series of thefta by a young man named Arthur Duii'y. A suit of oloth'ea was also produced. The first witness—Charles Ball, cycle dealer—stated that on January 13 accused caino to his shop and said he wanted to buy a motor, cycle. Accused remarked- that ho would like to have- a trial before purchasing the machine. Ho got on the machine and rode away, and did not come haok. The bicycle produced was the one accused had taken, its value was £25. Further evidence showed that the modus operandi with regard to the theft of tho second motor bicycle was the 6ame as that connected with the first, while in the case of the ordinary bicycles accused seemed to havo appropriated any • machine which had been temporarily left by its owner. Most of the bicycles were then ridden into the country, by the act-used; who sold them to' unsuspecting (arm labourers and others for more 6ongs, saying ho was representing a bicycle firm in town. The manner in. which accused obtained possession of tho suit of olothes as particularly impudent. While cycling down a country road he had seen a young man carrying a bundle. He offered to carry it for the pedestrian, who handed him the parcel, which contained the new suit of clothes in question, He then' nxlo off with the bundle, and when the. rightful owner saw tho clothes in court this morning they displaced signs of heavy wear. Evidence was given by tho various owners of the bicycles, who identified the machines, and then later trundled thorn out of court, and went on their way rejoicing at having come into their own again. Throughout the whole proceedings accused did not ask a singlo question of any of tho witheiecs. Neither did he> manifest any great interest in the evidence. Ho pleaded guilty to all tho counts, and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentenco.