WHOLESALE THEFT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 12, 9 October 1917, Page 6

WHOLESALE THEFT

AN'AUCKLAND INCIDENT. Theft; on a wholesale 6cale was admitted by a man named. Robert James Bryden, alias Woodward, who came before Mr. F. V. Frazer, S.M., in Auckland on a charge that he had in August broken into the house of Margaret Somers, in Bond Street, Arch Hill, and stolen practically the whole of the furniture, of the house. The evidence showed that in August Mrs. Somers, and old widowed woman, left her home in Arch Hill to spend some days at the home of a son in Grey Lynn. When she returned at the begin, ning of September she found that her house Ilad been practically swept clear of furniture and furnishings. While the old lady was away accused had called at the house, and spoken to a neighbour, to whom he stated ho was a grandson of the old lady, and his conversation led the netghbour to believe he was goinpj. to live in the place. Later the neighbour, a lady, saw a cart;backed up to the house and furniture taken away under the supervision of accused. Furniture comprising a uonch, seven chairs, a dresser, a washstand, and knives and forks were sold by accused to a secondhand dealer for £2 7s. 6d., and a quantity of clothing to another dealer for 12s. Ctl., while pictures, crockery, carpets, etc., were given by him to boaTding-house-keepers for lx>ard. Altogether, crockery, clothing, and furniture valued at .£l7 were taken. Towards the end of last month accused had been arrested near Pukekohe on another charge. He was then mounted on a horse, and had to he run down by motor-car to enablo the arrest to be effected. Nearly all the furniture was subsequently recovered and identified. Accused pleaded guilty, and was comimtteff - to tho Supreme Court for sentence.