JOY RIDING.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 February 1926, Page 1

JOY RIDING.

THREE -MEN ARRESTED.

A CIYI LEAN RESPONSIBLE. [BY TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, Feb. 8. A particularly smart arrest of three motrtr-car joyriders was effected on Satuday night, through tlie agency of Air P. J. Williams, who is a close friend of Air Percy Free, the owner of the car, and belongs to the same firm. They dined at the Star Hotel, and on going outside, about half-past eight, found tjhe ear had been removed. After notifying the police, Free and Williams decided to scour the town in an endeavour to trace the ear. They gave up the search about 10.30 and AVilliams was about to turn to for home, when ho heard that Detective Barling, while walking along Williamson Avenue. Grey Lynn, had sighted the stolen ear, and had promptly telephoned the detective office.

“It thought I would just drive down to Kohimaraiua and St. Helen’s Bay as that is a favourite rendezvous for joyriders,” said Air Williams. “When I was driving leisurely along the road leading to Kohiinarama, just about a mile past the Rcmuera tram terminus, I was somewhat surprised and amazed to see our car dash past. I then switched out all niy lights, in order to make those in the joy-riding car in front, think I was not following them. After they had gone nearly as far as Kohiinarama, tho front ear pulled up in the darkness. 1 also pulled up. and took good care that I placed my ear right across the road to prevent them getting hack townwards. I approached tho ear, and found there were three young men and three women fn it. The first thing I did was to remove the switch key, before the driver of the ear had time to think of what 1 was doing. Thus I prevented him Irom again starting the car.” “What a position .1 was in,” said Mr Williams. “Here I was, oil my own, on a dark :»nd lonely road, late at

night with three men. Acting quickly, I bluffed those in the ear that there were other cars following me behind. After a wait of about ten minutes, Air Charles Kelly came along in liis motor car. on the way from Kohimaraiua to Auckland. 1 appealed to him for assistance. After a discussion, 1 arranged for Air Kelly to lead the procession by driving liis car, while 1 made the driver of the missing car drive the same ear that ho had had the use of for several hours. Two of the women who were in the car got out before we started hack for town. The other one remained till we got to Gralton Bridge.” The procession moved along joyfully,” added Mr AVilliams. “with me driving my own car behind that containing the joy-riding quartette. AVe arrived at Free's house about 11.30, and I went in. and, rousing Free from his warm bed. informed him of the discovery of his ear. Then we all continued until the City Police Station was reached, where the three men were handed over to the Watch House keeper.” The three men who were found in the car appeared at Iho Police Court till,is morning. They were Rudolph George Paul Cvitaiiovich (19), Joseph Hearse (20), and Edward Henry Quintal (20).

They were each charged with converting to their own use a Dodge car. valued at £335. tho property ol Percy Free. Quintal was further charged with converting two other motor cars to his own use—those of John Batterson and Arthur li. Brett—valued at £3OO and £SOO respectively. _ On tho application of Sergeant Calweli, all three were remanded to appear on Friday next. Bail was allowed each in one surety of £IOO.