BURGLARY CHARGE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 192, 14 August 1931, Page 1

BURGLARY CHARGE.

Thief Traced by Stolen Cheque Forms.

LITTLE RIVER CRIME. Loose cheque forms found in the possession of Robert James Mitchell, a labourer, aged 25, when he was arrested for alleged conversion of a motor-car, established his connection with a burglary at Little River. In the Magistrate’s Court this morning he pleaded guilty to the offence and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. The charge was that on July 30 he broke and entered by night the shop of Charles Ernest Stevens, at Little River, and committed theft. Mr H. P. Lawry, S.M., was on the Bench. Chief-Detective Carroll said that a complaint had been received from Stevens, who gave details of the goods stolen from his store, and on the same day. July 31, the accused was arrested by Constable Horne in connection with another matter, an alleged conversion of a motor-car. In his possession were found some cheques which had been stolen from the store. Charles Ernest Stevens, storekeeper, of Little River, gave evidence concerning the theft from his store. The back window of the shop had been broken open. Cigarettes, tobacco, corkscrews, six cheques, towels, socks, chocolates and a gun and cartridges were taken as well as 10s in silver. , The value of the stolen goods was about £25. He identified the articles produced as those stolen from his store. The gun had been found in the vicinity of the store.

Constable E. B. Horne said that he arrested the accused for unlawful conversion of a car on July 31. When he was searched, the cheques stolen from Stevens’s store were found in his pocket.

Mitchell pleaded guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence.