THE MELBOURNE ROBBERY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19239, 1 August 1924, Page 7

THE MELBOURNE ROBBERY

A DESPERATE STRUGGLE. TELLER’S BRAVE RESISTANCE. Frau Association —By Telegraph—Copyright, MELBOURNE, July 31. The bank robber secured £568. The telephone wires had been cut inside fare bank, apparently by someone with an intimate knowledge of the premises. After Mr Chittock fired the first shot the intruder closed with him, and a desperate struggle followed. Tire furniture was upset and smashed. Eventually the revolver was wrenched from the teller’s hand. I.he man fired two shots, wounding Mr Chittock in the left hand, and the left foot, compelling him to release Iris hold. Hie robber then rushed to the counter and secured the notes. In escaping over the fence he dropped 28 single notes, which were found later. The manager, who had gone out to try to get into telephone communication with, the head office, returned after the struggle was over. He found Mr Chittock wounded. The police were called and were quietly on tlxe scene, but they failed to discover any clue. Mr Chittock is a returned soldier. Ho was conveyed to hospital. His wounds are # not serious. Neighbouring 'shopkeepers heard the shots, but thought the bank employees were indulging in a little practice. It is evident from the manner in which the telephone wires were cut and the alacrity with which the robber seised the teller’s revolver that he had knowledge of the banking premises. An interesting fact is that at the Commercial Bank in the neighbouring suburb of Glenforrie the manager (Mr Berriman) was killed in somewhat similar circumstances last year. The scene of the robbery is in the centre of the business premises of Canterbury.