RAILWAY STATION ROBBERY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18899, 27 June 1923, Page 7

RAILWAY STATION ROBBERY

THE ACCUSED ACQUITTED. ACTED UNDER COMPULSION. Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright MELBOURNE, June 26. Frederick Daniels, who was charged in connection with the sensational robbery at the Spencer street railway station, was found not guilty, and was discharged. Daniels, who drove the car in which the thieves escaped, stated that he acted throughout under compulsion at the revolver point. A during robbery, involving the loss of £2750 in notes and silver, was committed at the Spencer street railway offices during the busy part of the morning of May 15. The money, which was intended to pay the employees’ wages, was carried in a bag by two clerks from the basement to the office and placed on the counter .in charge of one clerk while the other left for a few minutes. A man with a revolver in his hand, who was amongst the crowd in the office, darted forward, and, flinging pepper in the clerk’s face, seized the bag and ran along the passage, followed by a confederate. A porter at the main door, and another employee, attempted to stop them, but the thief levelled' his revolver and threatened to shoot both men. He then jumped on a motor-car and disappeared at high speed after nearly overturning through colliding with an electric light standard and a team of horses. ■ On the following day Daniels was arrested. He states that ho motored one man to the Snencer street station, which he entered. While Daniels was waiting, another man appeared, and said; “Keep your engine going and when a man comes out go for your life or you will get your brains blown out.” The other man returned with a bag and jumped in and said, pointing his revolver at Daniels: “Go for your_ life.” After being driven a considerable distance the man left the car, which Daniels then drove home.