BANK TELLER S LAPSE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 145, 20 June 1936, Page 10

BANK TELLER S LAPSE

REMOVAL OF £7500 IN NOTES ACTED ON SPUR OF MOMENT PLEADS GUILTY TO THEFT (From Our Own Correspondent.) TAIHAPE, June 19. At the Police Court to-day Maurici Edward Alexander, aged 32, single, previously employed as teller at the Bank of New Zealand, Mangaweka, pleaded guilty to theft as a servant, admitting having unlawfully removed £7500 in notes from the bank’s strongroom. He was committed to the Supreme Court at Auckland for sentence. He was granted bail in his own surety of £2OO and one other surety of the same amount. In a statement made to the police accused admitted the act, absolving from blame other officers of the bank, and stating that he acted on the spur of the moment The Bench, ordering that the accused be remanded for sentence, complimented the Wanganui detectives on their skilful handling of the case. Messrs. E. Loader and H. Johnston J’sP., were on the Bench. Accused was represented by Mr. T. C. Kincaid, ot Taihape. and Detective-Sergeant J. K. Robertson, of Wanganui, conducted the prosecution. Branch Manager’s Evidence. James Cherry, manager of the bank nt Mangaweka, said in evidence that two keys, were necessary to open the strongroom and what was known as the treasury safe —his own and that held by the accused. The treasury held the reserve of cash and periodical visits were made to it to replenish the teller’s cash. Ou May 30, witness and accused visited the treasury and took cash out in the usual way. On June 10 witness was absent irom the bank from 1 p.m. until 10 p.m. On June 12 accused came to witness Io ask for cash from the treasury and the two of them went to the strongroom and when witness put his key in the lock he found it was unfastened. “When the door was opened accused said: “The ones and lives are gone, my God,” said witness. “He put his hand to his forehead and appeared to be surprised.” Witness was dazed by the discovery and he, the accused and Mr. Aplin discussed the matter. Accused had suggested that some cracksman was at work and to call In the local constable. Witness reported the theft to head office. To Mr. Kincaid: Until the present lapse accused was of exemplary character. Frequently there would be an interval of days, up to a week, when no ene would go to the treasury safe. Evidence was given by Hugh E. Coombe, an officer of the bank, who had worked with Kenneth Gordon Hume, sub-inspector from head office, who had been detailed to make an investigation. Detective James Murray, of Wanganui, gave evidence as to the inevstigatious made by the police. The three members of the bank staff were interviewed, said witness. Accused could

offer no explanation as to the disappearance ot the money other than to suggest that a master cracksman was at work. Witness Interviewed accused at some length on June 15. At the end of that interview accused asked if he could see his solicitor. Witness offered no objection. Accused left to see his solicitor,” Detective Murray proceeded, and returned within a few minutes with the money. 1 checked over the notes and accused told me that he had recovered them from the precints of premises that 1 was going to search. After the money had been counted accused made a statement which 1 typed down and which he signed as being correct.” Accused’s Statement. Witness produced this statement, which said, inter alia: “On Wednesday afternoon, June 10, Air. Cherry went to Palmerston North, and left me in charge of the bank. During his absence 1 discovered, quite by chance,, that his portion of the treasury door was unlocked. i knew that Air. Cherry would not be back until 10 p.m. that day. 1 had complete acces^- to the strongroom until his return. At about 7.15 p.m. on that day I entered the strongroom and unlocked the treasury safe with my key and removed all the £5 and £1 notes from the treasury. 1 knew that there was £7500 in the £5 and £1 notes 1 took. 1 made the notes into a brown paper parcel and deposited them in a place of safety. 1 committed this act on the spur of the moment, there being no premeditation on my part. Subsequently, 1 realised the enormity of the offence and made up my mind to replace the notes in the treasury without the loss being discovered, but could not discover the opportunity. Since the detectives have been making enquiries 1 have realised the futility of my action and, following an interview with Detective Alurray, I have returned the notes to the bank. There are none missing. I wish to say that the taking of these notes was a matter of sudden temptation on my part, and ever since the day 1 took them 1 have keenly regretted having done so, especially after seeing the distressed condition of Air. and Airs. Cherry. I wish further to state that 1 alone am responsible, neither Air. Cherry nor Air. Alpin being in any way involved.” To Mr. Kincaid: Accused had seemed genuinely distressed about the worry he had caused Air. and Airs. Cherry. At the conclusion of the hearing the Bench congratulated the police on the apprehension of the offender and the prompt recovery of the notes, a feat which reflected great credit on the two detectives concerned.