BREAKING AND ENTERING

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15211, 12 April 1923, Page 5

BREAKING AND ENTERING

A TE AWAMUTU SENSATION MAIL CONTRACTORS CHARGED. DEVELOPMENTS PROBABLE. By Telegraph.—Special to Times. TE AWAMUTU, Wednesday. Two men, named Ernest Edward Bacon and George Courtenay Bacon (father and son), appeared before Messrs Armstrong and Jeffreys, J's.P., to-day, charged that between 6 p.m. on February 21 and 8 a.m. on February 22, at Te Awamutu, they did break and enter the shop of Holmes Bros, and steal therefrom one Michelin motor tyre and one Miller motor tyre, of the total value of £ls 15s. Accused were remanded to appear again at Te Awamutu on Thursday, 19th inst. Constables Doyle and Rushton arrested the accused, who are big mail contractors, and on a subsequent visit to premises occupied by them recovered three large loads of motor accessories and household furniture, etc., which it is expeoted will result in further charges -being laid against acoused in connection with other robberies reported in the Te Awamutu district.

INTERESTING INVESTIGATIONS.

TRACING THE MISSING GOODS.

Our Te Awamutu correspondent supplies the following additional details of the case:— . Incidents that might almost be re-* garded' as sensational, occurred in Te Awamutu on Tuesday morning, in connection with the police investigation into several reported thefts from dwellings and business places in the town? The police had been busily oollating the result of their enquiries and observations, and shortly before mid-day on Tuesday they had a search warrant issued authorising them to search the premises occupied by a middle-aged man named Ernest Edward Bacon, on the Te Road. What they found there caused the police to apprehend Bacon and his son, George Courtney Bacon, on charges of theft. Both men were taken into custody, and yesterday morning they were brought before Messrs L. G. Armstrong and W. Jeffery, J.'sP., when they were charged with the theft, between 6 pjn. on February 21 and 8 a.m. on ary 22, of two motor car tyres, one a Michelin and the other a Miller, from the premises of Messrs Holmes Bros., motor engineers, Te Awamutu. Bacon, sen., stepped into the box and said he intended to plead guilty, adding that his son was not a party to the affair. Constable Doyle told the Bench that he merely desired ,to ask for a remand until April 19, as investigations were still proceeding, and that a series of charges respecting missing property would probably be. preferred against the accused on that date. He also indicated that if ball were applied for he would oppose it, as it may hamper the police investigation. Bacon, sen., said if bail were granted he would be | able to assist the police, but after the Bench had conferred it was announced that the application for bail would be refused. The Court then rose, and both accused were removed in custody.

The story of the earlier stages of the investigation is interesting, and throws light y on the enterprise and unorthodox methods of criminal investigation. It appears that for some time past Constables Doyle and Rushton have had their suspicions that the Bacons knew more about 'the disappearance of the motor tyre from Holmes' garage than appeared on the surface. They are mail contractors, traversing a large area of this district daily, and incidentally met the Main Trunk trains passing through in the early hours of the morning. The police quietly pursued their investigations until on Monday evening they noticed a car belonging to Bacon outside a local billiard saloon. One wheel wore a Michelin tyre, and when there were no wayfarers in view the police made a closer inspection of the tyre, searching for a print number of the tyre missing. There was the identical number all right, so they departed. Next day the arrest was made, and in-the process of searching the garage and residence of the Bacons several articles believed to be stolen wore discovered. Constable Doyle noticed a temporary loft in the garage, and decided to inspect it. He quickly found a Miller tyre, and threw it down to his waiting confrere. Continuing search they found in the loft a considerable quantity of household goods, motor engineering appliances, etc., while in the house other goods that answered the description of missing property were found. A search of the surroundings revealed a wringer and several pots and pans, etc., in a clump of blackberries near the rear door of the house, and some goods underneath the house.

Practically the whole of the articles reported missing have been discovered, and removed to the police station, a room of which now resembles a secondhand goods emporium. Yesterday several townsfolk attended and identified their own possessions. The case when it comes before the Court on the 19th inst., promises to be very interesting, and is expected to throw light on the mysterious disappearance of numerous articles from various parts of the town and neighbourhood. The capture is considered the most important in this town since the one that culmmated in what is now generally referred to as the " McMahon case."