HAMILTON SENSATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2439, 10 June 1922, Page 2

HAMILTON SENSATION.

DETECTIVE SHOT.

ARREST OF ASSAILANT

SEQUEL TO BURGLARIES. Hamilton Last Night. A series of burglaries had a sensational sequel to-day, when Detective Lambert was shot in the stomach when arresting William Alexander Crossan. Last- night Thompson Bros.’ fruit-shop was burglariously entered. The burglar was evidently disturbed and decamped leaving his tools on the counter. Later, Hamilton Bros.’ shop was entered, and goods, including a pair of boots, taken. From information gleaned the police went to Frankton railway, where Crossan was seen on the platfonn. When interrogated, Crossan admitted the burglaries, saying that he was wearing the boots he had stolen. He was then taken to his lodgings, where a search revealed a jemmy, sandbag, goggles, packet of cartridges, gloves and other appliances suitable for house-breaking, also clothes, evidently the proceeds of a burglary. Crossan admitted having broken into metal stores a few nights ago and stolen a revolver and cartridges.

Asked where the articles were Crossan replied that he had planted them at Tamnhere, four miles from Hamilton. A taxi driver, Leo Jury, was requisitioned, and Crossan was taken to the locality. A search was made without success, and suddenly when Detective Lambert and Jury were on the road, with Crossan, and Constable Sutton on the bank, Crossan drew a revolver from his pocket and ordered Lambert and Sutton to “Stop dead, and hold your hands up, or I will shoot!” lie then commanded Jury to enter the car and start it. Jury said, “Don’t lie silly, it isn’t loaded!” Crossan retorted, “Isn’t it?” He then (Hilled the trigger and tired a shot into the ground. Jury rushed round the car, and Crossan pulled the trigger to fire, at the taxi-driver, but the weapon failed to discharge. Lambert then hurriedly approached. When only about a pace or two away from Crossan, the latter fired and struck the detective in the stomach, and he fell to the ground. Crossan, still brandishing the revolver, rushed in thy direction of the Cambridge cross road. After assisting Detective Lambert into the car, Constable Sutton and Jury drove to the top of the hill.

The injured man was left in the car, and the others, with the assistance of three men who fortunately arrived at that moment by a lorry, set out in pursuit.of the fugitive.

Gradually they gained, and when Constable Sutton was about ten paces off, Crossan stopped in the fiack, lurned round, and faced the Constable. The latter ordered him to throw the revolver to him and put his hands above his head. Crossan first placed the muzzle of the weapon in his mouth, and remarked, “A man ought to carry on with it,” the inference being that he should account for himself. On second thoughts he withdrew the weapon, and handed it to the constable. It still contained cartridges. The constable then placed the handcuffs on Crossan who came away quietly,, and was placed in the lock-up.

The detective’s condition is serious, and his depositions have been taken in the hospital.

Crossau, who is 26 years of age, has been a resident of Hamilton for 18 months. He is of very powerful build, and his height is 6ft 2in.