BURGLAR ON TOUR.

Otago Witness, Issue 3801, 18 January 1927, Page 23

BURGLAR ON TOUR.

FEILDING. January >l4. On December 18 last Harold Joseph Whittle, a young man who had appropriated to his own use a motor car in Wellington, called at Halcombe on his way up country and committed a burglary by entering the shop of William John Francis. He took a portable gramophone, 50 records, six shirts, two blank«s, two suit cases, one pair of boots, shoes and slippers, three silk shirts, a pot of tooth paste, two pairs of socks and numerous other articles, the' total value being £4O. The tourist loaded the goods into the car, and journeyed on. Near Cambridge he had an accident on the road negotiating a corner, and was injured. The police constable who investigated found the goods in the car and arrested Whittle.

When charged at the Feilding Court W’hittle said that he stole a motor car in Wellington on December 14, and motored to Palmerston North, and then visited Ashhurst, Woodville and Pahiatua. On December 19 he rode on to Halcombe, arriving at about midnight. An hour later he broke into Francis and Company’s store, effecting an entrance through a broken pane of glass at the rear of the shop. He stole a number of articles and then proceeded to Rangataiki. via Napier, and thence to Putaruru. On December 22 whilst taking two friends to Hamilton the steering gear refused to function and the car went over a bank. Accused was injured and had to receive medical attention. The police, camo on the scene and accused was then ar- . rested. ...... Accused was comm;'!_J to the Supremo Court at Wellington for sentence.