THEFT ALLEGED.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20649, 25 June 1935, Page 9

THEFT ALLEGED.

THE COURTS.

Sequel to Chase to Picton. TWO MEN IN COURT. The rapid journey by Christchurch detectives to Picton on June 16 has aroused considerable interest. When Albert William Gauntlet and Ralph Crosby, entered the dock at the Police Court this morning to face a charge of breaking and entering the shop of Hay’s, Ltd., on June 15 and committing theft, the Court was packed, and a large crowd waited outside the door striving to get a view of proceedings. Gauntlet was described as a labourer, 27 years of age, of India, with no fixed abode. Crosby, alias Trevor Foote, was stated to be an Australian, 26 years of age, of no fixed abode. A remand was granted until July 2, on the application of Chief-Detective Dunlop, who said that the police would be readv to proceed on that date. Mr E. C. Levvey, S.M., was on the Bench, and Dr Haslam represented the .accused. Hays, Ltd., it is alleged, was entered on the morning of June 15. The intruders used gelignite to force open the safe and escaped with several hundred pounds in money. Early the same morning police investigations were set on foot and, as a result, all outlets from the city were watched. The progress of two men by taxi to Rangiora, train to Culverden, and thence by car to Picton was reported steadily by police in the various stations along the route, while Detectives J. Halcrow and A. Herron followed by car from Christchurch. Two men were arrested on charges dealing with the crime on the morning of June 16— within 24 hours of its committal. Maintenance Charge. Frederick Arthur Thomas, alias Frederick Mildenhall, a motor-body builder, 28 years of age, of Cashel Street, was charged before Mr E. C. Levvey, S.M., to-day with failing to comply, with the terms of a maintenance order. He was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, the warrant to be suspended so long as 12s 6d a week is paid off the arrears, in addition to the current maintenance.