GANG OF THIEVES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 122, 26 May 1938, Page 9

GANG OF THIEVES

OPERATIONS EXPOSED k FOUR MEMBERS ARRESTED F CONVERSION OF MOTOR-CAR The operation of an organised gang of Wellington youths were explained to Mr. J. H. Salmon, S.M., at the Wanganui Magistrates Court yesterday by Detective J. Murray, when David Ross, 16. Eric Albert Collins, 18. Albert Edward Morris. 18. and Robert Walter Page, 18, were charged witn unlawful conversion of a car at Hawera on May 22. All pleaded guilty and the magistrate ordered that the case of Ross be removed into open Court. Detective Murray stated that on the night of Saturday last the accused took a car from Wellington and drove to Wanganui. They remained during Sunday and then continued on to Hawera, where they abandoned the Wellington car and converted one belonging to a Hawera resident. They then returned south and reached Wanganui at 2.10 a.m. on Monday, where they were apprehended by the police. A jemmy was found in the 1 car, and Page had 29 keys on a ring, -A made of nails flattened out which could be used to operate the switches of certain makes of cars. He also had a rubber tube which had been loaded at one end with solder. Page had been before the Court at Wellington in 1936 on three charges of theft, and had been placed under the supervision of the welfare officer. In April of this year he was admitted to probation for three years for conversion of a car. Morris had been before the Court at Wellington in 1936 on three charges of theft and breaking and entering, and had been placed under the supervision of the Welfare officer. Collins had been before the Court at Wellington in August, 1936, for receiving stolen property, and had also been placed under the supervision of the welfare for two years. Ross had been out of work for some months and had a number of opportunities. but did not avail himself of them. He had been before the Court at Wellington for striking another person and for trespass on railway property. f The accused were an organised A gang and had been associating in Wellington for some time, continued the detective. One of them had in his possession a letter from someone signed "Peter.” who had not been found, suggesting that he do a "job” at Masterton. Referring to Collins, Morris and Page, the magistrate said that it was obvious they had started on a criminal career from an early age. Fortunately for them they could be treated at a borstal, to which they would be committed for a period not exceeding three years. In regard to Ross, fortunately he had just been saved in time, and he would be committed to the care of the child welfare officer with a recommendation that he be sent to Weraroa. The accused w ere also remanded to appear at Palmerston North to-mor-row on another charge of of conversion of a car at Wellington, and theft of benzine, valued at 14s 7d, at Te Horo. Ross and Morris were also re-

manded to Palmerston North, each being charged with theft of stamps.