BURGLAR CAPTURED

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18066, 18 April 1933, Page 6

BURGLAR CAPTURED

TWO PLUCKY WOMEN STRUGGLE IN DARKNESS An intruder in a house in Palmer street, Wellington, was captured by two women at an early hour' on Thursday morning. At about 3 a.m. Mrs. Mary liyde, who is the widow of the late licensee of the Panama Motel, was asleep in her room in tlio upper storey of 25 Palmer street and was awakened by the sound of somebody moving about on the floor below. A plan of campaign quickly formed in her mind. She decided to wait until he should come upstairs to her room. Sho had not long to wait, and the mail entered tJ le room on his hands and knees. Mrs. Hyde, who had remained perfectly calm, jumped out of bed and ran to the door, which had the key on the inside. She intended to lock the door, but as she fumbled witii the key, it fell out of the latch and on to the floor. The noise drew the intruder’s attention to his predicament. He rushed to the door and Mrs. Hyde closed with him. The two struggled out of the room and on to the landing. Mrs. Mary Kavanagh, mother of Mrs. Hyde, also was aroused. She went to her daughter’s assistance, and the man was secured at the foot of the stairs.

The women then called for help and the whole street was aroused. Three or four men quickly arrived and held the man until the police arrived. The whole struggle took place in complete darkness, as the burglar had pulled the fuses from the switchboard. The man had entered the house by means of a ladder placed against a window.

About a year ago the same house was burgled and on that occasion Mr. Hyde caught the intruder. A man later appeared in the Police Court on a charge of breaking and entering with intent to commit theft and was remanded until April 18.