SONOMA ROBBERY

Marlborough Express, Volume LX, Issue 231, 30 September 1926, Page 5

SONOMA ROBBERY

THE ALLEGED THIEF may be prosecuted for piracy. AFTER- SERVING PRBSENT SENTENCE.

[Peess Association. 1

Aus. and N.Z. Gable Asaociation.

(Received Sept. 29, 5.5 p.m.) SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 28. Joseph Placide Ducrest, who in 1921 allegedly robbed the specie tank on the steamer Sononia of Australian bullion, but who was frustrated before escaping with it, may be proseeuted for piracj' on the high seas. Tliis was indicated to-day by Ohijef Detective Duncan Matheson, who is ascertaining if Captain Thomas Trask, oi the Sonoma, will swear to a Federal warrant for Ducrest' s arrest. Ducrest was recentlv sentenoed at San Diego to eighteen montbs' imprisonment for smuggling aliens, but was immediately brought here for questioning in connection with the robbery. He is now in Levenworth Penitentiary. The police here say that if Captain Trask decides to prosecute Ducrest will be sent for at the end of his prison terra and will be brought back here to £ace trial for piracy. Ducrest, after allegedly robbing the vault, secreced part of the loot in a length of hose in a funnel aboard the steamer. The rest was tiecl in' a canvas4 and was thrown overboarcl as the Sonoma docked here. The loot was recovered, with the exception of about ten dollars worth out of £120,000 worth stolen. Ducrest, it is alleged, realising that detection Wa.s near, fled on a stolen motor-c.ycle and was not heard of till his arrest in San Diego.