MIDNIGHT CHASE IN CITY STREETS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 77, 31 March 1931, Page 9

MIDNIGHT CHASE IN CITY STREETS.

POLICE ARREST MAN ON A BURGLARY CHARGE A sensational arrest was made by Constable Best late last night. As a result, Peter Busbridge, a labourer, aged thirty-nine years, was charged in the Magistrate’s Court this morning with breaking, entering and theft at the premises of E. L. M’Keon, draper, of Colombo Street, Sydenham. Constable Best was on a city beat when a man passed him carrying a bundle under his arm. Being suspicious of the man’s movements, the constable called on him to stop. The man went on down the street, however, and the constable followed him. The man, it is alleged, dropped the bundle and made off, stiU with the constable after him. Finally the man was caught and held until another constable arrived. As a result of what was found in the bundle, it is stated, the charge was laid. Accused was remanded till April 9. The burglary at M’Keon’s store was of a particularly daring nature, goods to the value of £63 5s being stolen. The haul included overcoats, the coat and waistcoat of a made-to-measure suit, cardigans, lumber-jackets, hats, shirts, ties and socks. Evidently the thieves were disturbed at work for they left traces of a hurried departure. The burglars entered the place from behind the Bank of New Zealand premises, going up a section from Lawson Street, and climbing a high iron fence. They first tried a door at the side of the back office, but it resisted their efforts, and they turned their attention to a small glass window, which opened outwards. They broke the glass beside the catch and were easily able to open it. Inside, however, were two bars buried an inch deep in concert at either end. The thieves must have possessed some instrument of considerable strength, as one bar was forced out of its fastenings at the top, leaving sufficient space for an average-sized man to get through. The thieves evidently intended to make a clean haul of the place, as they went immediately to the shop and started on the mercery goods there, passing them out the back window, as there was not sufficient room for them to be taken out in bulk.