DRAMATIC CHASE OF MEN BY BOYS FOLLOWS ROBBING OF CHINESE

Wanganui Chronicle, 17 January 1949, Page 4

DRAMATIC CHASE OF MEN BY BOYS FOLLOWS ROBBING OF CHINESE

Four Arrests Made In Wellington

WELLINGTON, Last Night (PA).—The robbing of an aged and crippled Chinese was followed by a dramatic chase through Wellington streets about 6.30 o’clock tonight.

Four men were taken into custody by the police and questioned at the detective office and charges are to be made in court tomorrow.

It is reported that four men went to the home of a Chinese, Som You, 51 Haining Street, and asked him to change some money. You, who keeps a small business in the house, was acquiescing to the request when his wallet was snatched from his hands by one of the men, who made off, followed by his companions. A hue and cry was raised by the Chinese and the pound of running feet attracted the attention of several youths in a nearby City Mission. From the almost incoherent cries of the Chinese the words “robbed” and “money” were predominant. Ten youths from the mission, quickly sizing up the situation, gave chase to the four men. They were chased down to Vivian Street where one of the men continued straight ahead and the others made off down Marian Street. These three ran into an alleyway about 28 yards down the street and the boys surrounded the block

to ensure coverage of all the exit,. Several of the boys went down the alleyway and they noticed one of the men plant something while the other two made off. One of the boys retrieved a wallet and some letters written in Chinese from garbage against the fence. The man who planted the wallet ran into Marion Street and up Vivian Street, where he met the man who had remained there. They attempted to mingle with passers-by but were soon spotted and taken into custody by the police, who by then had been noftlied The other two men by this time were making for Ghufcnee Street with a pack of boys hard on their heels. Arriving at a private hotel they dived inside and slammed the door in the faces of their pursuers. The hotel was surrounded.

When one of the men walked blatantly forth garbed in an overcoat and hat, and walked across the street, starting to converse with a person there, he was accosted and taken in charge.

It is understood that the amount of money in the wallet was between £5O and £6O,