ALLEGED EXTENSIVE THEFTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15098, 22 March 1911, Page 8

ALLEGED EXTENSIVE THEFTS.

TWO MEN CHARGED.

TWO WOMEN! ARRESTED,

Two young men and a- woman and her daughter have been arrested by the police on charges in connection wiih what is alleged to be an extenaivo scries of thefts of goods from retail establishments, extending ever a more or less lengthy period. At tho City Police Court yesterday, before Mr H. Y. Widdowson, S.M., Colin David M'Lean and John Belford, two young men', wero charged with stealing and with receiving , stolon, property. The charge against. M'Lean was that during the month of February he stole goods to the valuo of £20 from Mrs Dreaver's drapery establishment. Belford was charged with! receiving during March two lengths of silk, valued at £5. knowing- that these had been dishonestly obtained.

Chiof-drtective Herbert stated that the two arrosts had "been made only late the previous'evening. There was a eonsideiablo amount of goods to bo examined, and many inquiries to bo made. He did not think it would Be wise to say anything further about the cases beyond that. He would ask for a remand for the full period of eight days. _ With reprar'd to the question' of bail hi', said that Mlican hod friends residing hero and he had borne a good character. His was one of those incomprehensible cases that cropped up so often. Since liis arrest M'Lcan bad been acting like one who regretted what he had dona and had been giving assistance to the detectives. The sumo remarks applied 1 to Bi/lford. Bail was "fixed in each case at accused's own surety of £50,' and one other of £50, or two of £25. Both the cases wro adjourned till next Wodnesday. Further developments arising out of the foregoing , cases took tJaeo yesterday afternoon, when. Frances Elizabeth" Bell, and Frances Elizabeth, Beatrice Bell, mother end daughter, were arrested. The charge against the former is that between the years of 1808 and 1910, at Dunedin, she did steal Doultomvaro and glassware valued at £50, thb property of tho Drapery Importing Company. The other accused is charged that between tho first day of January and Ilia 28th day of Februarv, lfdi. at Dunedin, she did receive certain goo'ls valued at £20. well knowing the fame to have teen dishonestly oMainen. In regard to the charges the police, who are still invcetiratiinc. are reticent at tho present stage, but if, is understood that it is not yet definitely decided whotlic: , the charge of "receiving" will be procwded withi against the young woman, Bell. The matter will probably engage Ihe attention of tho Police Court again th's morning.