JOYRIDERS CAUGHT.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 231, 29 September 1928, Page 12

JOYRIDERS CAUGHT.

FIGHT IN PARK ROAD

TWIN BROTHERS ARRESTED

BOTH SENT TO GAOL

After an exciting tussle with three men in a stolen motor car, two young men, assisted by a taxi driver, effected tlie arrest of two of the offenders, the other getting away.

| The story of the strange affair was i I told at the Police Court this morningi I when William Thomas Russell (2(5) , j baker's carter, and his twin brother, James Russell, were each charged with converting a motor car valued at £300, the property of Harrison and. Gash, to their own use. William Thomas Russell pleaded guilty, while his brother denied the charge. Mr. W. Schramm appeared for both accused. Sub-Inspector McCarthy, in presenting the facts of the case, said that the motor car was removed from Fort Street between 8 and 8.30 last night. It had been lent to a Mr. Hill by Harrison and Gash. The car was taken by William Russell, who afterwards drove around to Customs Street, where he picjtfcd up his brother and another man, whom they only knew as "Leo." They drove through Parnell and were returning in the car, when a salesman jmpioyert by Harrison and Gash, who was with a friend in another car, noticed tho stolen car near the hospital in Park Road. They stopped and asked William Russell, the driver, who had given him pertnission to use the vehicle. Russell wanted to know what this had to, do with them. An argument followed, and while this was in progress a taxi driver drove off for a constable. While lie was away the three men in the stolen car and the two young men came to blows. As tho constable returned with the taxi driver all three men made a dash for freedom. The Russell brothers were arrested, tlio other man getting away. Evidence was then given by the two young •men who effected the capture, Clyde Henry Porteous and Arthur Moselen. After questioning the Russell ' brothers and the other mail in the car, William Russell, they said, offered them a 10/ note if they would let the matter drop. Witnesses refused to accept this and the three men commenced to leave, telling Porteous that he could "take it or lettve it," referring to the money. They then said that they would go whether lie accepted the money or not. There was a fight when they tried to stop the men from leaving.

"Thank you both," said Mr. Hunt, the magistrate, to both witnesses. "You did a good evening's work." Constable Mawhinney stated that he was driven to Park Road by a taxi driver. As he stepped out of the car he saw five men fighting. Three of then* ran away, but the Russell brothers were caught and taken to the police station.

Both accused then gave evidence. James Russell said that he was with a friend whose surname he did not know. He only khew -him as "Leo." While standing in Customs Street last night, his brother drove up in a car and asked them to go for a ride. He said that he had tbp car for a couple of hours.

William Russell admitted taking the car and added that his brother had nothing .to do with the taking of the car or was not responsible for the fight with the other men.

Sub-Inspector McCarthy: You ask us to believe that you met your brother and the other man by accident?— Yes. _ "Why did you not make that explanation last night when you were arrested? Is it not a fact that you {ire trying to shield the other two men?"— No.

In convicting both men, Mr. Huntt said that he was very glad they had been caught, for it was a difficult matter to detect those who stole motorcars. The unlawful removal of motor cars from city streets had to be stopped. Each would he sentenced to three months' imprisonment. On another charge of driving without a license, William Russell was convicted and discharged.