A YOUNG BURGLAR

Hokitika Guardian, 26 March 1925, Page 1

A YOUNG BURGLAR

CAUGHT REIHI ANPED. [bv TULhoiiAi-n run press association. ] CHRISTCHURCH. .March 25. Masked by a silken scarf. Whileford Jukes Curtis, aged 17. was arrested while (Touching behind a counter in the premises of the New Zealand Farmers’ Co-operative Association of Canterbury, Ltd., at .‘s.9o a.m. today. Curtis, though handciill’cd, made a great hid for liberty, Iml he was recaptured. after a splendid break, wbieli traversed several blocks, and ended at Ihe, hack of the .Municipal Chambers. It was found eventually, that Curtis was arrested on his third job, as the information given to the police led to the recovery of a, large qnaulily ol stolen property, associating him with operations at two olher business premises.

When ihe nightwatchman and a constable oiilered the Farmers’ Coo.peperaLive buildings. Hie lights were switched elf. Curtis was not -.'slide, but. presently. Constable Ale!lines P mid him behind a counter, in the Seeds Department. Curtis was inhskwl with a scart, and without waiting, Ihe Constable o-uiiie-ed over the counter and grappled with Ihe ini ruder. A sharp struggle fi-J-ov. ed, and the nighlwatehmnii assisted to handciilf CurtiJ hands behind his hack. He was taken to the middle of the lloor. where he told his captors that, he we.s working alone. Beside the Cashel Street door stood two suitcases full of loot, and a rifle lay on the. door. Curtis was just, on the point of leaving when lie' was disturbed. Then Curtis demonstrated his athletic prowess. Constable Alclnncs stood near the door, with his man, holding him hy one aim, while Constable Patterson, who had atrived, was making a search for any accomplice. r l he sound of running f tops was heard, and when Mclnnes’ attention was detracted for a seiond by the thought that, he would have to face a, second man, Curtis broke free, and bounded into flic air, and out id' the door with his hands behind him. Constable Mclnnes set off in full chase but Curtis bad a lead in the darkness. Eventually Curtis was cornered alter a. long chase, and even then ho unsuccessful I v endeavoured to break rway again. Cuitis appeared at the Court tins morning, charged with thelL, ai.d he was remanded for a week. 1 lio P°lice saiii there were other charges io he preferred.