SUSPECTED SAFEBLOWERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23057, 7 December 1936, Page 6

SUSPECTED SAFEBLOWERS

AMBUSH BY POLICE TWO MEN ARRESTED ONE SHOT IN STOMACH (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, Dec. 5. The police have been especially active of late with a view to the capture of a gang of safe-blowers believed to be responsible for blowing 15 safes in and around Auckland in the past few months. Five detectives last night lay in ambush for over three hours in a hedge opposite the Farmers' Trading Company's store at Pokeno, 40 miles south of Auckland. At about 1.45 a.m. three men went to the oil store behind the shop, and returned to the road. They were called upon to halt, and two shots were fired by the police in the air. The men having (it is alleged) ignored the warning, and attempting to escape, two shots were fired by the detectives. The police then closed with and arrested two men as suspects. One, William Murphy, a Maori, aged 40, residing in the city, had been wounded in the stomach. The secohd arrested man is named Lawson; the third man, who is believed to have been injured in the leg or foot, escaped, and a wide search is being made by the police. The ambulance and a doctor were called from Auckland, and Murphy was taken to the hospital. The case is not thought to be serious. An Xray examination will be made. Clement Robert Lawson, aged 25, appeared in the Police Court before Mr Wyvern Wilson to-day, charged with being a rogue and a vagabond unlawfully in possession of housebreaking implements. He was remanded for a week on the application of the police. On the request of counsel, ball was allowed in The police said Murphy would be charged later.