MEN ARRESTED

Hokitika Guardian, 20 September 1930, Page 5

MEN ARRESTED

BUT EFFECT ESCAPE.

A WELLINGTON MYSTERY.

(By Telegraph—Press Association)

WELLINGTON, September 19

Two men under arrest, and under the escort of a Constable, made a successful dash for liberty at the doorway of the Taranaki Street Police Station about half past ten on Thursday evening. A stern chase ensued, but the wanted men wove the quicker of foot, and they soon disappeared under the cover of darkness.

Ml' B. Sutherland, of Knrofi, the owner of the chain of Self-Help Grocery Store*, received, shortly after, ten o’clock on Thursday evening, n telephone call from a person unknown which intimated that the Courtenay Place shop would be broken into during the following hour. On receiving the information, Mr Sutherland’s - son immediately informed the police and proceeded into town in his car. In the meanwhile, the Manager of the Shop had been communicated with, and he, in company with Mr Sutherland, junior, and a police constable, made an inspection of the premises. There appeared to he no signs of the work of any intruders, and while a further inspection was being made, footsteps were heard in a lane behind the shop, to which access is gained from Tory Street. Three men were seen to be there, and although they began to make off when they were aware that their presence was noticed, a constable was well on the alert, and he secured two of the men, while the third made a successful escape. They were not deprived of their liberty long, however, for a second and determined effort freed them from the constable’s power when they were almost at the Police Station/' - It was understood this evening that the wanted men have not been recaptured.

One explanation of the telephone call is that one member of a gang of thieves may have turned traitor on his friends, and out of spite, or malice, decided to inform Mr Sutherland of the plans.

Alternatively it may have been a ruse to lure Mr Sutherland away from his Huron residence so that access could be gained to it, The presence of the three men may have been merely, accidental, and they may have had no intention of breaking into th* premises in the vicinity.