THIEF CAUGHT

Hokitika Guardian, 23 May 1932, Page 5

THIEF CAUGHT

BY POSTMASTER

SECOND MAN ESCAPES

(By Telegraph —Per Press Association,

AUCKLAND, May 22

A during attempt to rob too ALriston Post Office and store, early on cunday morning, was frustrated l>y the tunny ajipvnrani'e o. the owner, Mr ,'5. Gregory, who surprised two men as u.ey v.ere making an entry into tile Post Oil.ee .run-a grain room adjoining.

After.a desperate struggle, extending over twenty minutes, Gregory, with the assitanco of ins wife., overpowered otic man, who was taken into custody by the police. Air Gregory’s timely appearance was due to the installation of an alarm system, which lie had recently completed, following on two previous attempts to elite.- his premises.

Describing his exciting experiences, Mr Gregory, who complained ef many bruises, said he was awakened shortij after lTiidnight by the gong of his alarm system. “I seized an unloaded shot gun, and quietly entered 'the store of the rear door,” he said. ‘“Observing a .streak bf light undo - .- the doorway connecting the store with the grain room, I took up a position with the gun pointing directly at tho closed door, f heard stealthy movements, and the light streak .brightened. There were Bounds of the door being forced, and I signalled my wife, who had followed me, to stand aside. As the door slowly opened, the sto*re electric lights were utomatically switched on. and they revealed two muffled figures standing in the doorway. They wore overcoats, with mufflers drawn up to their faces, and hats down over their eyes. They were stunned by the sight of the gun and myself, and T called on them to put up their hands. They ducked quickly hack into the grainroom, and bolted to the roadway. I dashed after them. I caught hold of one man as lie was running through the door, and pulled him back. He apparently saw that escape aws impossible without a fight, and he hit out at my head and body with his fists. I tried to overpower him, without recourse to direct violence, and we struggled all over the grainroom for about five minutes. Wrenching himself free, the mah ran to. the rear door, but this I had locked on entering. Ti-apred there, we again got into grips and ho desperately resisted all my efforts to pin him. He broke away and grabbed a long-handled slasher standing-in the store, and came at me with it. He did not use the blade, but tried to knock mo with the wooden handle. Realising that T could not secure the man withoul knocking him out T called out to my wi ’<; To hit him. She had been presenl all the time, but could not get a chance to grip the man. so violent was our struggle. Mrs Gregory seized a chop per, a long-blrtded steel instrument and struck at tho man. The fbst blow bit his hand, and the second struck the man’s head, and caused a slight wound. He immediately sank to the floor and surrendered. Mr Gregory Raid that ho stood guard over the man while Ins wife v tel - phoned Constable Maloney, of Papatoetoe, who arrived in a short time, and took the man into custody.

Gregory added “During the struggle the man kept his bead lent. ns if anxious to avoid recognition. I understood this fully, when, after his capture I recognised the man as a former resident of the district.”

Gregory’s clothing bore signs of the desperate struggle. THs pyjama coat was practically in ribbons.

Mrs Gregory, who- pluckilv rendered valuable assistance in securing the intruder, said that she had no alternative but- to hit him. She said: “The situation was getting deseerate, and knocking the man out was the only thing to do. lie was struggling fiercely witli my husband, who was handicapped in trying to overpower him without injury.” Gregory has been the owner of the Al'riston store, and Postmaster there for the past five years. He served in the Indian Army.