A MOTOR CHASE

Hokitika Guardian, 24 August 1927, Page 4

A MOTOR CHASE

WOMAN’S REMARKABLE STORY. AUCKLAND, Aug. 22. A sequel to a thrilling race between a, motor-ear commandeered by detectives and another ear driven by a Queen Street business woman on Aug. Gill, was die a.iqioaranee, in court of Ina Beatrice Wills, aged 27, and Thomas Herbert Skinner, aged 2d, charged with breaking and entering the shop of Sybil Muriel Tmnnson on August dtb. and stealing confectionery, etc., valued at £1(1 Its. also with breaking into the shop of Raymond Lawson McDonald wiih intent to commit a theft.

Tn a statement to the police, the female accused said that she was in business in Queen Street ax a mercer and bad known Skinner, who had called at her shop on business. On the night of An list oth. coming out of a picture theatre in Queen Street to get into her cur, she was met by Skinner who asked her to drive him to Epsom. She did so. She stopped the car outside a, confectionery simp in Manakau Road. When Skinner left the car. ho returned a little Infer carrying a parcel. She then drove him to Khvlier Pass Road, where Skinner again left the car. On returning lie seemed excited. He said “Step on it. Go for your life.” She drove to Dominion Road at Skinner’s direction. She was ultimately overtaken by the .police.

Skinner who had got away, when later questioned by the police, denied that he had been with the other accused. He denied that the goods found in her car belonged to him. When ho was confronted with Mrs Willis at the police station, she said he was the man with her on the previous night. Both pleaded not guilty and were committed for trial. Skinner was refused bail. The woman was given bail.