Desperate Struggle With Armed Robber In Auckland Bank

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26904, 16 October 1948, Page 6

Desperate Struggle With Armed Robber In Auckland Bank

Daily Times Special Service. AUCKLAND, Oct. 15. In an armed hold-up'at the Bank of New Zealand agency in Parnell road before noon to-day, a robber took more than £3OO in cash. He attempted to gag the teller, Mr C. W. McCorkindale, who grabbed a revolver and twice struck the robber about the face. Mr McCorkindale won the struggle for possession of the pistol, but was unable to stop the robber from escaping.

Mr McCorkindale was the only person on duty in the agency, which is open only on Tuesdays and Fridays between 10 a.m. and noon. It is situated in a converted shop. A few minutes before noon he was getting ready to close up when a man entered the agency and, closed and locked the door behind him. Mr McCorkindale recognised the caller as a man who had previously discussed the opening of an account. The man had a service pistol in one hand and wore a mask. He told McCorkindale to “stick them up.”

Pointing the pistol, the robber told Mr McCorkindale to hand over the money. As he did this, the robber, noticing the bank revolver nearby, pushed it well out of range in case the teller might secure it. Attempt to Bind Teller

in a plumber’s truck. He left the truck in Lower Symonds street. ' The man being sought by the police is a European aged about 35 years. His face was covered in blood, and there were bloodstain- on his clothing. His description is being broadcast from radio stations. Doctors and chemists and hospitals have been asked by the police to report any man answering his description and seeking attention. • It is routine for all officials of a bank agency who carry money, to be armed.” said the manager of the Bank of New Zealand, Mr W. G. Miller, this afternoon. “All, tellers in banks are armed.” How he rushed into the bank to the assistance of the teller was related by Mr Alan Tanner, a partner in the tobacconist firm of Tanner Bros., next to the bank. Mr Tanner said he was unpacking tobacco at the counter when he heard a commotion outside. He thought if was a dog fight, so took no notice. Then a woman rushed into his shop and said he was wanted at the bank. “ I went to the bank and saw the teller standing at the door holding a gun,” he said. “He had blood on his coat and was shaking a bit and looked pale, but was not injured.”

After grabbing a bag containing 200 £1 notes and a number of £5 notes, totalling about £3OO, the thief took the money out of the" bag and stuffed it in his pockets. He then told Mr McCorkindale to turn has face to the wall, and realising that the pistol was still pointed at him, Mr McCorkindale obeyed. The robber then endeavoured to tie Mr McCorkindale’s thumbs together behind his back with a boot lace, and finding this operation difficult >vhile holding the pistol, he placed'the weapon on the counter. Mr McCorkindale was waiting for such a chance. He picked,up the pistol and struck the holdlup man several heavy blows on the temple and sides of the face.

These blows opened up a wound on the robber’s temple. The wound bled profusely as the men began a struggle, both fighting for the pistol.

Then the man ran out of the bank. -Blood, was streaming down his face. He was closely followed by Mr McCorkindale. The trail of blood led from the bank and along the footpath into Heather street. As he ran into Parnell road and was passing the Exchange Hotel, Mr McCorkindale called for help. The thief ran along Heather street, which leads to the railway line immediately above Carlaw Park. Mr McCorkindale then gave up the chase and returned to the Dank. From there he reported to the police and his head office. It is not yet clear whether the robber retained possession of the pistol. Eye witnesses say they saw him run away from the bank pursued by Mr McCorkindale who was carrying a revolver. Whether it was the bank revolver or the thief’s pistol is also not yet known. Eye-witness’s Story

“ I was crossing the road right opposite the bank just before 12 o’clock when I heard someone calling out ‘Help, catch him,’” said. Mrs E. Finch, who lives near the bank. “ The man who ran out first was covered in blood. The bank official who was chasing him had a scarf around his neck and a gun in his hand. The teller asked me to return and close the door of the bank, which I did. He chased the man. but he could not catch him, and he then returned to the bank.” After running along the railway line a short distance, the robber, still bleeding from his wounds, got a lift