MOTOR THIEVES

Southland Times, Issue 20524, 28 June 1928, Page 8

MOTOR THIEVES

CAREER CHECKED

THREE YOUNG MEN ARRESTED LENGTHY LIST OF CHARGES (Per United Press Association.) Dunedin, June 27. By the capture of three young men— George William Uren, David Bruce Beveridge and Francis Sinclair Ward, the detectives have stopped an epidemic of burglaries and unlawful conversions of motor cars in Dunedin and Oamaru. To-day Uren and Beveridge pleaded guilty to the conversion of six cars, valued at £1,900, two charges of theft and one of breaking and entering, while Ward and Beveridge admitted eight charges of converting cars valued at £2,896, one charge of theft, one charge of attempted breaking and entering and four charges of burglary. Their plan was to take a car from Dunedin parking areas to Oamaru, and there convert other cars. The burglaries showed more than amateur skill. The biggest burglary was of Wright, Stephenson and Co’s, offices in the Town Hall building at Oamaru, the entrance off the Main street being gained by keys found among papers concerning the firm in the back of the converted car. Ward and Beveridge opened the safe and removed the cash boxes and goods. They stole £lO4 in money and goods, making a total value of £l7O. Returning to Dunedin in two converted cars they divided the spoil, throwing the boxes and papers into a creek and destroying the cheques. Among their equipment w r ere rubber gloves, torches, masks and a great collection of burglar’s implements. Accused pleaded guilty to all charges and were committed for sentence on the indictable charges. Sentence on the summary charges were withheld till the Supreme Court sentences were passed. Uren’s bail was renewed, but bail was refused Ward and Beveridge, the Magistrate saying the offences were not due to adventurous silliness, but to distinct criminality.