MASTER CRACKSMEN

Hokitika Guardian, 12 August 1926, Page 2

MASTER CRACKSMEN

THE SYDNEY CAPTURE

[by TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION

AUCKLAND, August 11

The relent coup by Sydney detectives when they arrested three Italians in a city bank as they were about to commence safebreaking operations on the strongroom, containing £9OOO in notes, acknowledged to have been the greatest police exploit in Neiv South Wales for many years, has a. peculiar interest to the Auckland detective staff. The leader of the clever gang, nicknamed “The King,” and two others were in Auckland last year, when they were shadowed by detectives and later were detained aad finger printed. Their finger prints were subsequently sent across the Tasman to the Australian Criminal Investigation Department. The safe in the Farmers’ Union Trading Company was blown open in August of last year, when cash and cheques to the value of £SOO were stolen. Later another safe was dynamited in the office of Monin and Fenwick, the burglars leaving behind them a huge safe breaking, implement, made of steel, and resembling in shape a tin opener. This was taken opssession of bv Detective Moon, who was investigating the matter at the time, and it is now in the police museum at Auckland Station. “ The King ” and his two confederates were detained hero afterwards, but were subsequently released, as the evidence against them was considered too weak to prosecute. However, their finger prints were taken. They were last heard of in Auckland in October last. From here they went across to Sydney.