THEFTS ON THE RAILWAY.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13337, 1 February 1909, Page 7

THEFTS ON THE RAILWAY.

A SMART CAPTURE.

For some time past thieving from railway trucks standing in the Railway yard over-night hae been rifo, and , no satisfactory explanation of the occurrence could be obtained. On Friday night, acting-yard foreman J. Laurence was on duty, and about 3 a.m. on Saturday ihe came across an enclosed' goods van containing fruit and other r.rticles, which had evidently been tampered with. At the same time ho noticed figures in. the distance making for cover. Mr Laweu<;© (who before joining the Railway service, was a police constable, stationed -at various time* in different parts of Otago and Southland) v alked past the- van as if nothing had .happened, and cam© buck on the other sirle, concealing himself beneath the vehicle and extinguishing his lamp. He had not long to wait, for presently four young men emerged from hiding and went to the van. One of their number remained on seoutina duty, ■while the other thro© scrambled inside. Mr Laurence also became active, for he slammed and! .locked the door on the trio, and went in pursuit of the fourth young man, but failed to run hie quarry to earth. Ho then, telephoned to the police, who were soon an the seen©, and alii they had to do was to open the door and) invite the throe hopefuls to come forth and 'be taken into custody. Mr Laurence is deserving of great praise for the cleverness of the capture ho effected.