THEFTS AND BURGLARIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3783, 14 September 1926, Page 29

THEFTS AND BURGLARIES.

THREE MEN CHARGED. A FRANK CONFESSION. Joseph Muldownie, Leslie Pearce, and Bruce imrie were charged before Mr 11. . Bundle, S.M., in the City Police Court yesterday, with having broken and entered the Pernhill Club and stolen therefrom goods to the value of £24, the property of Charles James Beecroft and others. They were further charged with breaking and entering the dwelling house of Elizabeth Buchanan and stealing therefrom property to the value of £52. Elizabeth Buchanan, residing at Easther crescent, Kew, stated that on September 1 she went out at 1.55 p.m. leaving the house unoccupied. The doors were locked and the windows closed. On returning at 5.15 p.m. she saw the front door open and a small axe lying in the hall. All the drawers were pulled out and the house had been ransacked. Witness identified some pendants, a watch, and part of a chain as part of the property stolen. All the jewellery stolon had been recovered, but the money had not. She did not know any - of the accused. George Latimer, manager of the Union Pawn Office, said that on September 1 a watch was pawned by a person giving the name of Alex. Brunswick, and the address as 32 Reid road. Witness advanced 25s on the watch, which was pawned by Muldownie. Daniel Sheehy, barman in the Provincial * Hotel, said that on the afternoon of September 1 witness saw imrie, who was formerly employed in the hotel, in the bar. Imrie was accompanied by Pearce and another man, whom witness did not know. Imrie handed a little parcel to witness and asked him to look after it for him. The parcel remained there until the next afternoon, when witness put it away in a box. On September 3 Detective Sneddon opened the parcel in witness's presence. It contained two pendants and a cameo brooch. Detective Sneddon stated that on September 2, in consequence of complaints made, he interviewed Pearce in respect to the two cases of breaking and entering. Accused made a statement in which he admitted having committed the offences. Accused Imrie was interviewed and admitted having taken part in breaking into Mrs Buchanan’s residence. He interviewed the third accused who admitted his guilt in connection with breaking into Mrs Buchanan’s house. Witless gave evidence as to whom the jewellery was received from. Charles James Beecroft, manager of the Fernhill Club, gave evidence a 3 to the premises having been locked up on the night the offence was committed. Next morning he found the place had been entered and ransacked by some person. Certain articles enumerated and shown to him were amongst those missing. Alexander Sinclair, resident of (he Fernhill Club, stated that his overcoat was in the club the night before it was broken into. He did not give anybody permission to take the coat away. John Meade, stableman, gave evidence that he had to go to a vacant section at the corner of Fish and Wiliis streets, and there found a parcel containing some of the stolen goods. Detective Roycroft gave evidence in regard to interviewing Muldownie in connection with the theft, from the Fernhill Club. Accused admitted having committed the offence. He also interviewed Imrie, and he admitted his guilt. Imrie was wearing the overcoat that was claimed by the witness Sinclair as his property. The three accused were cautioned in the usual way, and each pleaded guiltv to the two charges, and were committee! to tiu Supreme Court for sentence, an order being made for the return of the stolen property to the rightful owners. A SHOP ENTERED. Leslie Pearce and Bruce Imrie were charged with having, on July 22, broken and entered the shop of Oscar Reginald Cooper, and stolen therefrom goods to the value of £23, the property of Oscar Reginald Cooper. Oscar Reginald Cooper, outfitter in Stuart street, said he knew both accused, who had visited the shop for ordinary purposes. Witness made everything secure before leaving bis premises on the evening of July 22. Next morning he found that the glass in a door had been smashed, the broken into, and ransacked. The cash register had been broken open. About £2l worth of stolen property had not been recovered. George Latimer stated that a suit case was offered in pawn, and 6s was advanced upon it. He thought it was Imrie who brought in the suit case. He gave the name of F. Tyson* and tire address 41 Serpentine avenue. Detective Roycroft said he interviewed the two accused, and they admitted their guilt, and signed statements. They were quite candid about what they had done. They said that, with regard to the rest of the property, they had sold it to strangers about the city, and it was impossible to recover it. Both accused pleaded guilty, ar.d were committed for sentence, the recovered property to be returned to its rightful owner. Pearce was admitted to bail in his own recognisance, and one surety of £SO. THEFT OF REVOLVER. Bruce Imrie was charged with having, on June 9, broken and entered the shop of Walter Gabriel Rossi ter and stolen therefrom a revolver, valued at £3, the property of Walter Gabriel lloesiter. Rosie Mary Rossiter, residing in George street, stated that there was a revolver in the window of Mr Rossiter’s shop. It was in the window on the evening of June 9. Witness’s attention was called to the window having been broken, the damage being £1 19s 9d. William Neve said he was passing Rossiter’s shop about 11.30 p.m. and noticed that the shop window had been splintered and that there was a hole in the window. He reported the matter to a constable, lie did not see anyone about. Detective Sneddon said he interviewed aooused, who admitted the offence and made • voluntary statement. Accused had since identified a man aa the person to whom he sold the revolver, but the man denied having received it. His premises were searched, and no revolver was found. Accused pleaded guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence.