SENSATIONAL ARREST

Hokitika Guardian, 28 February 1928, Page 1

SENSATIONAL ARREST

ESCAPED PRISONER CAUGHT. AUCKLAND, Feb. 25. The arrest of William Scboles, a prisoner who escaped from custody seven months ago, was effected under sensational circumstances at Dominion road about midday yesterday, the capture being the result of a cleverly laid police trap. In the afternoon the police arrested Andrew Simpson. Simpson is alleged to lie an associate of Scholes and the police had reason to suspect that the two had been uttering cheques to business people in more than one suburb of Auckland. At this juncture IT. .T. Cates, of the Progress Stores, 575 Dominion road, came into the story. To a reporter this morning Cates unfolded an unusual account of Simpson’s arrest. He stated that Detective Knight called at his shop at II o'clock yesterday stating that two men were suspected of having cashed cheques with business people in other suburbs of tlie city. Tt was thought that they might pay a visit to Dominion road during tbe next few days as this suburb was one that had not so far been given attention. Cates was told to look for the possible tendering of any cheque on which was printed with a rubber stamp the words “trust itrconnt.” The detective had hardly been gone an hour when a man entered Cates’s shop and gave an order for £2 worth of groceries. "For payment bo tendered a cheque on which was marked “trust account.” It was a cheque for £i. All Cates's employees were alive to the situation and be instructed an assistant to take as long as possible in making out the docket. In the meantime one of tbe assistants slipped into Cates's house next, door and telephoned the detective office, while Constable Belcher of Mount ITosLill, was also informed of what bad happened. While this was going on Constable Belcher arrived and Cates explained things. Tbe man seemed uneasy and appeared as if lie wanted to leave the shop. A few minutes later ho bolted from tbe constable and Cates and ran through tho storeroom and out of the back door. He cleared a sft bin fence without difficulty and quickly disappeared with a crowd in pursuit. The man was observed going down William Street, so the constable and Cates got a motor-car a lift followed him. They eventually discovered him in a gully. Watts, one of Cates's employees, went down after the fugitive, who had become entangled in some wire. Watts caught hold of tho man and brought him hack to the street, where he was handcuffed and taken charge of by Constable Belcher, who removed him to Mount Roskill lockup. Later he, was taken in a van to the City Station. Later in the afternoon Detectives Knight, Alsopp, Davis, and Naldcr went to a house in Mount Albert and arrested Scboles. The escapee .submitted to arrest quietly. However, tbe detectives were tailing i:o further chances and handcuff'-d him . On July 27th of last year vScholes was being brought to Auckland on tlie Wellington express and was with two other prisoners, the trio being in charge of a single warder. Until Kafakn was readied the three prisoners and their escort were quite comfortable in a smoking carriage, but when the passengers had to tranship ;.1 a big slip which occurred at Laiu'.-ic

that morning the prisoners ami m>warder were compelled fo continue the rest of the journey in a cowded carriage which contained a number oi women and children. Scholes had previously gone to the lavatory to obtain a drink of water and bad returned to the warder, but when Vie train was travelling slowly through Puliinui, lie again asked the warder if lie could get another drink. The warder was about to accompany Inin when Scholes got in front of a woman and three children, thus placing the warder at a disadvantage. As soon aScboles was missed search was made, but lie could not be found until his recapture yesterday. Both Simnsoii and Scholes wore brought before Mr F. K. Hunt. S.M.. at the Police Court this morning. Simnsoii was charged with attempting

to obtain goods and money of a total value of £7 by a valueless cheque and was remanded until March Ist on bail of £2OO. Scholes was charged with escaping from lawful custody. Bail was asked for, but was refused, Chief Detective Hammond stating that Scholes was an habitual criminal and an escapee, therefore lie was not eligible to be bailed.