CAUGHT IN THE ACT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2126, 8 July 1907, Page 1

CAUGHT IN THE ACT.

A WELL-PLANNED SURPRISE. “He was caught in the act of breaking into the place by Detective Droberg” said Chief-Detective McGrath at the Wellington Magistrate’s Court, on June 29th, when a middleaged mail named John Morrison, alias Smith, alias Russell, was charged before Mr. Riddell, S.M., with having broken and entered the dwelling-house of James D. Cruicksliank, on Welliug-ton-terrace, and stolen a bottle of whisky valued at 6s. The. police wore not prepared to go on with the case so obtained a remand. The house in cptestion is better known as Miss Malcolm’s. During the last throe or four months it bad been broken into on several' occasions and clocks, overcoats and other articles stolen. Lately Detectivo Droberg and Constable Le Fevre have been secreting”themselves in the house each night in the hope of finding a culprit. About a quarter to three o’clock this morning their patience -St’iMTp; W m"flnr‘cTark in the smoke room when they heard someone at the kitchen window. The stranger rattled it several times in his to lift it and at last succeeded. The feeling of those in wait can well be imagined, and time seemed to pass painfully slowly whilst developments took place. At last the stranger got through the window, struck a match, lighted his candle and commenced operations. Detective Droberg posted himself at the smoking room door and from there they saw the intruder walk stealthily along to a wine euqboard under the stairs, secure a bottle of whisky and retire. There were too many allevways for the police to rush on to him’ then without running some risk of bis evadijjg the law’s millions, so they played "“the waiting g.'tfie” to the* last! The intruder returned to the kitchen, got out of the window and as soon as lie reached the ground the police were there prepared for him, having gone outside via the ‘kitchen door. The man was easily arrested amLsoon lodged in the lockup. Amongst the articles round on him were a knife and a small iron jemmy.