BENZINE THEFTS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 232, 1 November 1940, Page 5

BENZINE THEFTS

-*^ hree youths in court WIDE RANGE OF OFFENCES The growing number of complaints -regarding the theft of benzine from stationary cars, parages and stores in this district has been a constant source -of annoyance to motorists ever since the lestrictions were im- - posed. A series of charges against youths in the Whakatane yesterday will however to the public that the have not been idle and no T~ legs than sixteen instances of 1 this type of offence have now explained. It appeared from what Sergeant Parrell stated in the court that the young men, Owen Hector Swan, John Alexander Caulfieid (Mr Barry) and James Keefe, were working as a gang and had been operating in many , ; parts of the County. Their depredations started early in the year when five gallons of petrol had been stolen from the •'bulldozer' which was '■working in the Manawahe district in connection with the Government to farmers' scheme. In ■obtaining the petrol, Swan had damaged two locks. Thefts had also been committed at Thornton, Edgecumbe, Otakiri and Poroporo, the defendants apparently having no qualms about helping themselvees whenever opportunity offered. i Other Articles Taken. Swan had also helped himself to a radiator cap from a bus parked on the road, and although he had 'denied all knowledge, had later confessed when the article was •on a truck, on his parent's farm. Caulfieid was also charged with the theft of articles from Michael's ;«tore at Edgecumbe on June 1 (bath ;salts and soap)', while Keefe, a Maori -appeared to be the 'mug' of the party, having merely accompanied .the other two and receiving no benefit other than a free ride in the car. Apart from private car owners, the County Council and the Lands Department were also victims, the pet-, i'ol having been taken from an un.attended road grader and a dredge. Probation Suggested. Referring to the first defendant, the Sergeant said that he had been associating with two who were now in Borstal and had probably been led astray. He suggested that he.be given the benefit of probation. Mr Barry for Caulfieid said that he had come of a good family who felt the position keenly. He drew .attention to the articles taken from the store, which being no earthly use to him, had been removed more in the spirit or bravado than from • any criminal intent. The offences were not likely to occur again and in view of the fact that defendant had already had eight days detention, he suggested that the ends of j justice would be met by making an order for restitution. Guilty to all Charges. The three defendants pleaded ..guilty to all charges. Messrs G. A. Brabant and L. H. Brown were on the bench;- and in admitting all three to probation for 12 months, the senior J.P. referred to the seriousness of the charge, the maximum penalty for which was a fine of £20, or three months' imprisonment. An J~~X order for restitution was also made Swan, for £4 8s and Caulr fo? £3 lis Bd. At the instance of the- Sergeant, the bench also ordered the three to .separate—for as the police contended 'if they get together again, there'll be trouble.'