RECENT ARRESTS

Hokitika Guardian, 23 December 1929, Page 2

RECENT ARRESTS

NEW DEVELOPMENTS. HACKSAW FOUND AND RIFLE IDENTIFIED. CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 20. -Sensational developments in connection with the recent arrest of the Gray brothers in Manchester Street are expected. Yesterday’s investigations by the detectives have brought to light fresh evidence which should be helpful in clearing up not only the epidemic of incendiarism but other serious crimes, and possibly the Hammond shooting case. Mr Edward Hammond, the principal of Messrs Hammond and Turner, who was shot by a burglar when he surprised the intruder in his business premises in Oxford Terrace, was seen by detectives yesterday. It is probable that Mr Hammd-nd will be asked to attend an iden-ificaiion parade during the holiday period. POLICE FIND HACKSAW. On Wednesday a search was made of the suspects’ home in Antigua Street, the detectives remaining there some time. Yesterday Acting-Detective Hal-e-row again visited th housse and took possession of a hacksaw. This will figure as one of the main exhibits when the accused men appear for trial. A hacksaw has played a prominent part in more than one of the more serious crimes that have been committed in Christchurch during the past few months. In the case of the Dobson garage, which was twice set alight, it was found on the second occasion that j the lock o)i the door of the petrol store; had been sawn through with a hacksaw. Strangely enough, a hacksaw was used when thieves gained entrance to Ha mtnond and Turner’s premises. It will be remembered that Mr M. E Hallignn, proprietor of the garage at the real- of M,r Hammond’s place informed a reporter after that attempt that in his opinion two men were concerned. The revolver which, it is stated, was found on one of the youths at the time of his arrest was an old German weapon. It is believed to bo a specimen which had been on exhibition at the Christchurch Museum. 1 The daring of the perpetrators of j recent burglaries is emphasised in a : discovery which was made on Wodnes- j day by Mr L. F. Tisdall, of the well- )

known sporting goods firm in Cashel i •Street. The sawri-off .44 calibre rifle, which was found in the possession of 1 one of the youths, had been indenti-1 fled as one of the rifles which were taken from his shop during the last two weeks. The police have in their possession another rifle similarly sawn off. It was found yesterday that both rifles had been sawn off on Tisdall’s premises. The remaining pieces of each barrel were found in Mr Tisdall’s back yard. The job was not cleanly done. Mr Tisdall stated that, roughly cut as the rifles were they would make most deadly weapons. Nearly fifty rounds of high-powered soft nosed ammunition were also found in the possession of the suspects. CONST A RLE GILLUM HONOURED. Constable Albert Gillum, who brought off the sensational arrest of the two suspects on Wednesday morning, is the hero of the hour. During the last two days he has been busy receiving telegrams of c-ongra iilasfcion from friends in and out of the Police Force all over the Dominion. On Wednesday evening a remarkable demonstration, in which lie was the central figure, occurred outside the Civic Theatre. Constable Gillum was passing the theatre just ns the people were leaving the Civic. Some frencls recognised him, and in a moment lie was surrounded by an enthusiastic crowd who cheered him and his hand. Constable Gillum is a native of Christchurch. His mother resides at 28, Dunn Street, Spreydon. He was educated at the Marist Brothers’ ■School, Barbadoes Street. Tall and of fine physique, bo is a most unassuming and modest young man. ( If Constable Gillum’s capture leads to the clearing up of the “fire bug” i cases, he will lie entitled to the reward ; of £2oo offered some time ago by the insurance companies. Payment of the < reward is, of course, subject to the consent and approval of the Commissioner of Police. ( “LONG VIGIL AT AN END." WELLINGTON, December 19. \ The Commissioner of Police intends to recognise suitably the very merito- s lions action of Constable Gillum, “I f am sure the Press and the public will < join with officials of the police depart- jmentin rejoicing that our long vigil *

I I ; | and concern are at an end,” he states. I The Commissioner of Police is satis--1 tied that the police have substantial I evidence in relation to twenty-one fires in Christchurch and approximately ten charges of breaking and entering; also that recent developments enable the police to make a charge in respect to the shooting of Mr Hammond at Christchurch in July, as fingerprints found on Hammnnd and Turner’s premises are shown to be identical with those of one of the youths now in custody.