A NIGHT OF CRIME

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22269, 23 May 1934, Page 7

A NIGHT OF CRIME

BRUTAL ASSAULT IN GARAGE POLICE SCOURING DISTRICT (Pe* United,Press Association.) HAMILTON, May 2?. Police cars are to-day scouring the Eastern Waikato district for two young men who, after a brutal assault on a storekeeper at Tirau early last evening, appropriated a car at Hinuera and entered upon a night of crime, including four cases of theft ■ (or attempted theft). - ' ■The first episode occurred at Tirau, where, at the shop.! of S. J, Bear, butcher, an attempt was made to;removo the safe. The burglars forced Ah entry through, the rear entrance, breaking open the door of the. office. They removed the safe, and lifted it upon the counter. At this stage, however, Bear’s daughter and a solicitor passed, and; seeing the safe on the counter, entered, the. thieves apparently decamping by the back *door. • About an hour and a-half later, Frank Rose; a storekeeper, of Tirau, found the locks of his garage door forced, and on making furthisr investigation." lie suddenly came, across two men- in the darkness. . One grasped him round the arms, while the. other struck Him repeated blows on the head. He fell to the-ground, but fought, strenuously, and nailed loudly for help, before his assistants successfully gagged, him with a handkerchief. His cries for assistance were heard by a bowser attendant! Followed shortly by several other neighbours, he rushed to the aid of the injured man, who was bleeding profusely from extensive wounds on the head. ’

Lying on this ground beside him wers a steel and chopper. Later, a car was appropriated at Hinuera, afid the thieves were subsequently surprised at Matamata in attempting; to fofce the lock of a bowser pump. At Waharoa they were successful in their quest for benzine, the lock of. a pprap being smashed, and eight gallons; of petrol removed; At Hintiera the store was entered arid groceries stolen.

A THRILLING CHASE

i ’i, YOUNG MAN ARRESTED. ' : ■ , i I’eb .UNixEjb Press Association.) . HAMILTON, May 22. After a thrilling chase.hear Karapiro, near Cambridge,, one of tliemen believed to have been associated■ in: the' chapter of incidents comprising breaking and entering, theft and assault that occurred last night, wan arrested this afternoon by Constables Kelly and Cotter, , Senior Sergeant Carroll, of Rotorua, was driving ,a police car near Karapiro' when a Buspicioua car was seen, but the driver made off before any opportunity of accosting him could be obtained. Travelling at a speed of 60 miles an hour over rough country roads,-ho outstripped the police car Bind made good his escape. Following up, however, the police came across the same car, which ii believed to be the one .that .was stolen from Hinuera, and an hour or two later a- young man was arrested., , AAs'/VA.'