DRAMATIC ARREST

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 227, 25 September 1929, Page 9

DRAMATIC ARREST

LAND AGENT IN CUSTODY

ALLEGED TO BE FORGER.

LIVING IN HELENSVILLE

SHERIFF COMES FROM TEXAS

4 sensational and dramatic arrest was made at Hclensville yesterday afternoon when Detective Sergeant P. J. Doyle and y r . John I!- Biglmm, Sheriff and Chief of Poliw. of Bell County, Texas, U.S.A., walked into the land agent's office of John Grey and arrested him under the name of A. B. Crouch.

Crouch, alias J. M. Cameron and John Grey, was.brought to Auckland by the detective sergeant and sheriff, and he spent last night in the cells at the police station. Hie age is given as 4S, and his native land America. Accused appeared before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., at the Police Court this morning. The charge against him, rather . an unusual one, reads as follows: "Whereas information has been lodged before Mr. F. V. Frazer, S.M. (the present Judge of the Supreme Court), and ; , a warrant issued in the State of Texas, within the jurisdiction of the United .States of America, for the apprehension of A. B. Crouch, for forgery in that . State, he is suspected of being in or on his way to New Zealand, and is- a fugitive criminal within the meaning of the Extradition Act, 1870." Mr. G. P. Finlay, -who appeared for accused, said Crouch had been at Helensville for the past 11 years. During that ■ time he had acquired substantial means, had made good, and had a clean and honourable record. "I understand that the police will ask for a remand, eo I V would ask that bail bo allowed/ , added ' counsel. if' v "I will iave to ask for a. remand until .i--'October 2," said Chief Detective Ham--4' mond, "and I have been instructed to %' oppose the granting of bail. We have ; , been looking for this man for 13 years, i and now he has been positively identified i - as the wanted man —" r> .."Well, he has been on your doorstep - ■• all the time/ , said Mr. Hunt. "Apparently eo," said Mr. Hammond. ■' "Now a sheriff has arrived in Auckland from Texas in connection with the matter. Another detective came over here from America some years ago, but Crouch successfully evaded him. He has been living at Helensville for some years under an assumed name. A provisional warrant for his arrest was issued in 1917, but the new warrant should reach ; here from America by October 7. It is alleged that by forgeries he obtained : over'lso,ooo dollars from a bank at Temple, Texas, by forged bills of lading. ' Considerable expense has been involved in getting this man, and if he gets bail '■■ wo might not see him again." Mr. Hunt said that under the circumstances ho would refuse bail in the meantime. Crouch therefore will femain in Mount Eden Prison until the question of bail is again considered. Application for Extradition. When Detective Sergeant Doyle first taw accused yesterday he denied that his name. was* Crouch. It is stated that accused was first located by the Christchurch police in 1917, when he was residing in that town under the name of J..M. Cameron. However, it is alleged, Crouch disappeared and made a trip _to : America, to afterwards return and reside , at Helensvillo under the name of John !■ Grev - On receipt of the warrant from America the police will apply to the local Court for an extradition order. Air. Bigham, the sheriff, arrived at. Wellmg- - ton bv the Maunganui from San Fran- ■ cisco/and reached Auckland yesterday • morning. He immediately left for Helensville with Detective Sergeant Doyle and arrested Crouch. It Crouch is extradited Mr. Bigham will escort him back to Texas.