DELIBERATE SMASH

Hokitika Guardian, 20 September 1933, Page 6

DELIBERATE SMASH

CONSTABLE BADLY INJURED

MOTOR THIEFS DASTARDLY RUSE

(Per Pre ss Association, Copyright)

AUCKLAND, September 20,

The whole of the Auckland police force is grimly determined to-dny to locate the motor thief who, early this morning was responsible for the serious injuries .suffered by Constable Ernest Edward Stewart.

The. police ,about nine o’clock last night, were notified of the theft of a now sedan car, and, about midnight in Grey Lynn, Constable Stew ait saw it.

Hailing a taxi he gave chase, and when the taxi drew alongside, leaped on to the running hoard. The driver immediately'accelerated .while the constable gripping the rear door handle, tried to open the door. The handle broke off, but lie. maintained his footing, and ,with the car travelling at high -speed, began to edge along the running hoard, and seized the front door handle. The driver began frantically to punch at the constable, who endeavoured to retaliate. Then a stationary car was seen ahead on the side of the road, and it is alleged that tlie driver of the stolen car deliberately, in a desperate effort to dislodge the constable, swerved the car over the road to the stationary on Realising that lie .might- be crushed, Constable' siewarF '/tried tfi flatten himself agolfist/tV'/sidel The year crashed, alongside / of. the . otitejr vehicle, tearing ;. both mudguards' from it ,and hurling tlie constable headlong along the road. The owner of the parked car, aro was standing in the doorway of a house, hurried out to see the stolen car disappearing at high speed, anc the constable lying on the road. He was taken to hospital with one leo- shattered, his right shoulder and hand also injured, and his face laceiated. An operation was performed almost immediately. No effort is being spared by the police to trace the driver of the stolen car. :