ARMED MEN IN BANK.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2226, 13 January 1921, Page 1

ARMED MEN IN BANK.

CLERK BOl’X T D AND GAGGED. Sydney, Dec. 28. The robbery,.“'of a small bank at Annan dale, a Sydney suburb, Inst week, was very boldly planned and executed. The men got only £SO tor their trouble; but, in ordinary circumstances they should have got £(>00 or £7OO.

The branch is a very small affair, open on lour days a week, lor the convenience of small tradesmen ia the locality. A clerk, Gerrnrd, conies from a larger branch, and docs the whole business required. At 3 o'clock last Thursday Gerrnrd was busily counting bis cash when two men came in. Due threw a 10s note on the .counter, and asked lor “four bobs' worth ot threepence.-. Gerrnrd was counting them mu when he heard a curt ‘'Hands up!" He looked®up, right into the Line barrel of a revolver. His own revolver was within reach, but be \\nhelplcss, and bis bands went up.

The second man then vaulted over the counter, took Garrard's coal from a near-by book, pul it on Gerrard back to front, and buttoned it. They produced a strong cord and gag, and they securely bound and gagged the youth. 1 ben lbe\ quiet.ly"ransacked the till, taking all the notes they could find, and the silver, but not touching the copper, or the cheques, or other identifiable documents. “Hardly worth the trouble,' mattered one man, as they weal nwav. It so happened that there was not £SO in cash in the place; as a rale there is £OOO or £7OO there. The men pulled the front door to af- ,(.,• (beta. The whole incident did not occupy four minutes.

Then the clerk tried to release himself:. His legs were unbound, but his bands were very (irmly tied behind him. He could not get out-,-ide, because the front door, was closed. He rubbed bis face against the wall, and managed to displace the gag. Then he knelt down at the front door, put bis mouth to the let-ter-slot and bowled bis doleful tale out into an interested world. Men soon collected, and they finally attacked and burst in I lie front door, and released the clerk. The clerk said afterwards that the men knew their business, and had everything planned out. He was wade to stand with bis face to the wall, so that be did not have a chance to study (belli very closely, but they were both young. They said, “Wo won’t take your watch and chain, sport,” referring to a valuable gold watch and chain which be carried: nor did they touch some £3 which the clerk bad in bis pockets. The detectives have IrPen working on a very faint trail, and do not appear optimistic.