MIRAMAR HOLD-UP

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 187, 10 August 1931, Page 7

MIRAMAR HOLD-UP

\ SEARCH FOR ROBBERS IWO DETERMINED CRIMINALS BULLET FIRED INTO ROAD 4 I Per Press Association. ] * WELLINGTON, Aug. 9. A special force of detectives is engaged in a search for the robbers who acid up two motor-cars at Miramat on rrday evening. JSo far no cluo has oe< n discovered which may lead to tho tiacing of the bandits. As both men wore masks, the task of identification may prove difficult. lhe firing of one shot from a hold up ii.au s revolver revealed that the robbery is the work of determined criminals. The shot was fired when one of the motorists flashed a torch. The billi t kicked the dust on the road up, the r*jbbi r saying, “The next one will go Higher if there i’ any funny business.” J he robbers had apparently planned the affair very carefully, for they carriot out their work without the slightest hesitation, and made their esenpo in plenty of time. The first car, which was held up between the Miramar wharf and .Shelly i<ay, contained two men who were relieved of some personal effects, bur. little or no money. When the car had proceeded a short distance pas the Miramar wharf the driver saw what ho ibought, was the body of a man lying Hi the middle of the road. As ho •'topped his car ami got out on to tho road to sec what was wrong, « man with a revolver stepped out from tho., shadows and covered him. At the same time the •‘body’’ come to life, produced a revolver, ami joined his companion. Che bandits then ordered tho motorists to empty their pockets, and selected certain articles. Second Car Arrives. M hile the bandits were searching, another car, driven by Mr H. [». Vaney f <d Miramar, arrived. Mr Yancy was with his-wife and two young children. Before he realised quite what had happened he was looking into the muzzle of a revolver and heard the order to get out of the car. ]]<• was then searched ami his wife was called upon to hand over her handbag, which contained about £l. Mr ami Mrs Vaney said that soon after thev had passe*! the Miramar wharf they saw a stationary car in tho middle of th.* road with several mm standing near i*. They pulled up behind the car ami were surprised to see two of the men backin towards them with two other mon facing them. .Suddenly the two men who had had their backs to Mr Nancy’s car swung round ami cover* d them with their revolvers. Almost at th* l same moment one of the other 111**1) flashed a torch on one of the bandits saying that he would know him again anvwhere if he saw him. At this tlu* bandit, replied with a shot. The bandits, who had black masks covering their fares. » ere wearing very old clothes. They then onlered t' ; two young men in the first ear to drive on and turn**.l their attention to the \’.Tnoy family. Mr Vaney had a revolver thrust into his stomach by tho smaller ot the two bandits, who went through his pockets. Mr Vaney was earrving nothing of any value. Tho bandit then turned tn Mrs Vaney, demanded her purse ami collected all the money it contained. Tho taller of the ■wo bandits, who appeared to oe the loader, stood some distance away keeping the party cover***! with a revolver. Having completed the search the bandits ordered the Vaneys back into ear ami tobl them to drive in the direction *)l Seatoun. Mr A anoy was unable to got th** self starter to work and ns he got out to crank the car the bandits, vvhn had started to walk off in the direction of the Miramar wharf, swung round and covered them with their guns and said that if they di,] not g Ct a move on thev woul*l put a shot through the ear. Mr Vaney finally got the car going again and proceeded to Seatoun, where he telephoned the police. lhe first car had been driven to Mount Crawford prison where notification was nbo sent.