BRAZEN THEFTS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 26 September 1924, Page 5

BRAZEN THEFTS.

FIVE YOUNG' DESPERADOES

On- TELEGRAPH— PRESS ASSOCIATION.' ((V AUCKLAND, Sept. 25. YOU have been to the pictures I suppose and have seen stunts there” commented Mr. Poynfcon, S.M., at the lolice Court to-day, when confronted Y hv f, young “desperadoes,” who sheepishly admitted o« series ol amazmgly brazen thefts from shop windows. It happened on a Sunday, and a detective mentioned that one of the boys did not take part in sharing certain of the spoil “as he was at church.” ■ “At church?” said the magistrate, and added an eloquent “humph.” Four of the accused were 16 years of age and one of them, and still more remarkable was the fact that one of them, the genius whose exploits suggested pictures to the magistrate, was said by his counsel to be addicted to drink at times. “He does not seem to have any too much respect for the law,” commented Chief Detective Cummings. According to Detective Barling, the quintet (three of whom were New Zea-land-born) spent Sunday, September 14, wandering round the streets and tobacco shops and helping themselves to an assortment that included tobacco of several kinds, four pipes, cigarettes, hair oil, shaving soap, matches, chocolates and artificial cider. One of the party was armed with a glass cutter, and while his mates stood round him he would score with the cutter. | They would then wait until a tramcar was passing to cover the noise of breaking glass and smash a window and help themselves. The magistrate said he would admit the boys to probation for three years. He made the term that long because they must be supervised. The boy that carried the glass cutter would have to pay for the damage done to plategla.ss windows, about £ls. His Worship said they' might think they had been smart, but it was not smartness, and if they did not mend their ways they would certainly get into trouble. The youth who was said to drink at times was ordered to be prohibited.