FOOTPADS AT WORK

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3006, 17 February 1917, Page 10

FOOTPADS AT WORK

PALMERSTON RESIDENTS HELD UP

HIGH-HANDED PROCEEDINGS

By Telegraph—Special Correspondent. Palmerston North, Feb. 16. Pttlmerstoii North residents are hecoming alarmed at the daily continuation of outrages by two masked men, and so daring have these highwaymen bosomo that they have operations right in the heart of tho town. Last night a young girl 1G years of age, named Gladys Little, who is employed by Mr. Charles liush, manager of the "Manawatu Ernes," at liis private residence, had 1 the terrifying ex]>orionco of meeting the two men and receiving a very serious handling from them. The girl was waylaid at the beginning of Ada Street, at tho back of the Opera House, and was rendered unconscious and robbed of a sum of money and some jewellery. Seen subsequently, she was naturally in a very much agitated condition, but told tho following story:—"l was coming homo from the Post Office, where I had been to post a letter, and when. I had come from an alleyway leading past the Opera House into Ada Street two men suddenly came out of the dark and put something over my mcutli and nose. I tried to scream, hut could! not. They carried me over to the shadows nearby. ... I could then see that there was a tall man and a short man. Tho big man got hold of m; hair and held on to it, and told mo tlat if I made a row they would knock mo senseless. The little' man then pulled my purse from, me and ripped it open. The big man said, 'Bo careful and don't let anything lie about.' Just then somebody came down the road, and I tried to cry out, and! struggled, but the big mail held my elbows behind me and hurt mo so much that I was frightened, and did not. The little man, who had torn niy bag, then took the money out of it,'which ivould amount to nearly one pound iu silver. They also took my brooch. They must have hit me then, for the nest thing I knew I woke up on tho ground, • crying and tho men had disappeared." Tile gin also stated that the men carried torchlights, which they flashed into her eyes so that she ivould have difficulty in recognising them. Detective-Sergeant Quirkc, Sergeant Honrv, and Constable Boyd arrived soon after' the outrage. They are oonfidont that an early arrest will be effected. In addition to other easos mentioned', it appears that Mr. Lowis, a clerk, employed by and C'onnell, was held up oil the I'oxton lino oil .Wednesday night Mr. Lewis put up a fight and cscaped. Two- other incidents aro reported. On Wednesday night between 11 o'clock and midnight, a Mr. Dreggan, from Taranaki, was attacked by two men. Mr. Dreggan is a big man, and he gave a good account of himself, managing to knock olio of his assailants down. However, ho in turn was knocked down, and his pockets were gone through and £2 odd taken. _ A voung lady was held) up in Queen Street last night, but no particulars are available. ■ - The operations of the men are causing quite a sensation in the district.