HUE AND CRY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26981, 17 January 1949, Page 4

HUE AND CRY

STREET EXCITEMENT

YOUTHS CHASE ROBBERS

FOUR MEN ARRESTED PA WELLINGTON, Jan. 16. The robbing of an aged crippled Chinese was followed by a dramatic chase through the Wellington streets about 6.30 o’clock to-night, and four men were taken into custody by the police and questioned at the detective office. Charges are to be made in the l court to-morrow. It is reported that four men went to the home of a Chinese, Sam You, at 51 Haining street, and asked him to change some money. You, who keeps a small business in the house, was acquiescing to the request when his wallet was snatched from his hands by one of the men, who made off, followed by his companions A hue and cry was raised by the Chinese, and the pound of running feet attracted the attention of several youths in a nearby city mission. From the almost incoherent cries of the Chinese, the words “ robbed ” and “money” were predominant. Ten youths from the mission, quickly sizing up the situation, gave chase. They chased the men down Vivian street, where one of the men continued straight ahead, while the others made off down Marion street. • These three ran into an alleyway about 20 yards down the street, and the boys surrounded the block to ensure coverage of all exits. Several of the boys went down the alleyway. They noticed one of the men plant something while the other two made off. One of the boys retrieved the wallet and some' letters written in Chinese frqm a garbage bin against a fence. The man who had planted the wallet ran into Marion street and up Vivian street, where he met the man who had remained there. They attempted to mingle with passers-by. but were soon spotted and taken by the police, who, by then, had been notified. The other two men by this time were making for Ghuznee street with a pack of boys hard on their heels. Arriving at a private hotel, they, dived inside and slammed the door in the faces of their pursuers. The hotel was surrounded. When one of the men walked blatantly forth, garbed in an overcoat and hat. and walked across the street, starting to converse with .a person there, he was accosted and taken in charge. It is understood that the amount of money in the wallet was between £SO and £6O.