THEFT OF BENZINE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18323, 15 February 1934, Page 9

THEFT OF BENZINE

COUPLE SENT TO GAOL CHASE IN THE DARK (Per Presß Association.) NEW PLYMOUTH, last; night.. ■ The’story of a chase in the dark after a man and woman who had been found syphoning benzine from motor caro was related in the Police Court to-day, when Lucille Chatterina AnitaWilliamson, and William Wilson Pratt, were charged with stealing six gallons of benzine. ' ' A taxi driver discovered the couple in the drive of the Boys’ High School. They drove away in a car. He chased them into a blind street, and drew his car across the entrance in an attempt to trap them. They dashed past, but the taxi pursued them through the town, and captured them in Devon street east. Pratt was taken back to the school, where he denied the theft, but later offered to pay for the benzine. The police were called, but through a mistake, hurried to the Girls’ High School. After waiting some time, the captors allowed the thieves to go free. From the description the police arrested the couple at the Fltzroy motor c’ariip. .: Both pleaded guilty. They had been hawking drapery as man and wife, but the woman was married to another man, and was living apart from him.

The police allege that the couple left a trail of offences behind them In the course of their travels. The hearing of several of thet/e charges were adjourned. Pratt was sentenced to three months' imprisonment, and Mrs. Williamson to one month.