LEFT HIS INITIALS

Southland Times, Issue 17621, 8 April 1914, Page 6

LEFT HIS INITIALS

AND WAS TRAPPED.

A JUVENILE IN TROUBLI

For some lime past the police authorities have been aware of the fact that "business premises in the main part of the town have been entered, and in at least two cases certain goods removed. .As a result of enquiries, thefts from Messrs Bray Bros, and Messrs McKay ißros.’ auction marts, have been traced to a ten-year-old offender. Facts show that in the month of February last the youthful offender entered the cordial

factory of Messrs Thomson and Co., but

apart from a general ramsacking the removal of any goods cannot be traced to him. Two years ago the lad initiated his criminal career. Wherever he has entered the plans he has laid ■would do credit to any hardened criminal. His entry of Messrs jßray Bros.’ premises was made on April •SS. Getting inside the building before the knocking off time of six o'clock, he secreted himself among some sacks and inside the space of half an hour came forth from his hiding place. A new bicycle in the store had naturally attractions for him and he took possession of it and has been riding it ever since. In the interval, however, he made his way to the firm's office and commandeered

the cash box which was there. lie took V. the Imx to a reserve near by and broke It open arid a quantity of small silver and some stumps it contained lie converted to his own use. This part of iiis work Completed, he returned to the

yiore. brought out the cycle, mounted it *nd rode off. His visitations were not yet finished, and on Saturday evening 'he was again out on his rounds. The premises of Messrs McKay Bros, were his next objective. Secreting himself in the loft of a stable, which adjoins at the rear. He found an aperture from this position which permitted his en-

trance to die main portion of the mart. •It was about half past seven when ho not inside and he then commenced to cmake a general examination of the goods free to his hands. Some specimens of ijewellerv appealed to him and he lost no time in bundling them up for conveyance.

The police came upon the culprit in rather a curious sort of way. In McKay's rooms a fountain pen attracted his ■attention and he set out to try his qualifications at handwriting. Unfortunately for him he left his initials and his specimen of handwriting on paper, and after a, few hours’ enquiry the police traced home the tiiefts. The bicycle and Jewellery originally reported as missing Jiave been recovered.