GANG OF BURGLARS

Hokitika Guardian, 27 June 1928, Page 3

GANG OF BURGLARS

THEFTS OF CARS ADMITTED. By Telegraph—Press Assn., Copyright. DUNEDIN. June 27. By the capture of three young men, George William Uren, David Bruce Beveridge and Francis Sinclair Ward, detectives have stopped the epidemic of burglaries and unlawful conversion of motor cars in Dunedin and oamaru. To-dav Uren and Beveridge pleaded guilty to the conversion of six cars valued at £I9OO, two charges of theft and one of breaking and entering. while Ward and Beveridge admitted eight charges of converting cars valued at £2805, one charge of theft, one charge of attempted breaking and entering, and four charges of burglary.

Their plan was to take a car from Dunedin parking areas to Oamaru and there convert other cars.

The burglaries showed more than amateur skill. The biggest burglary was of AYright, Stephenson’s Coy s offices in ..the Town Hall building at Oamaru, entrance off the main street being gained by keys found among papers concerning the firm in the back of a converted car. Ward and Beveridge opened the safe, removed the cash boxes and goods. They stole £lO4 in money and goods making, a total value of £l7O. Returning to Dunedin in two converted cars, they divided the spoil throwing the cash boxes and papers into a creek and destroying cheques. Among their equipment were rubber gloves, torches, masks, and . n. great collection of burglars- implements.

Accused pleaded guilty to all charges and were committed for sentence on the indictable charges. (Sentence on the summary charges wore withheld till the Supremo Court sentences were passed. TTren s bad was renewed but bail was refused Ward and Beveridge, the Magistrate saying the offences' were not due to adventurous silliness but to distinct criminality.