Armed Vigil of Four Detectives

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 36, 12 February 1937, Page 8

Armed Vigil of Four Detectives

SUPREME COURT HEARING OF POKENO AFFAIR Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Last Night. The vigil of four armed detectives outside a Pokeno store on December 5 and the subsequent pursuit, in which n man was shot, was recalled in the Supreme Court when Clement Robert Lawson, aged 26, a salesman and mechanic, and George Frederick Murphy, aged 41, a salesman and labourer, were charged with breaking and entering by night the shop of the Farmers’ Trading Company at Pokeno with intent to commit a crime. Both were also alleged to have had housebreaking implements in their possession without lawful excuse, and Murphy was indicted on a further count of possessing two plugs of gelignite and five detonators, with intent to commit a crime. Accused entered a plea of not guilty. For the Crown Mr. V. R. Meredith said that four detectives under Detective Hunt, all of whom were armed, took up watch outside the store at Pokeno. They secreted themselves iu a marcocarpa hedge, and at 1.30 a.m., shortly after a dance in a nearby hall was over, they saw three men emerge from the road leading to Thames. Two of them inspected the front of the building and then joined the third man, who had gone to a side door. Torches were seen flashing at the rear of the building, and the doors and windows appeared to be examined. Counsel said the men passed out of the detectives’ vision when they went along the road, but they returned in .10 minutes, one staying in front of the store and the others going to the back. Sounds of wrenching were heard, and shortly after, the men moved over to an adjoining bulk store, in which they were seen moving about. “At this stage they were again leaving with, it is suggested, the intention of obtaining their car, which was parked some distance along the road,” Mr. Meredith continued. “ Detective Hunt stepped out and called, ‘Stop! Police.’ The men bolted and a detective fired two shots into the air. Lawson stopped, but the other ran on, one of them never being apprehended.’’ Air. Meredith said that Lawson, when arrested, was wearing rubber gloves. Detective Wilson tripped when pursuing a man later identified as Murphy and a shot rang out, and the latter, after being secured by Detective Wilson, was found to be suffering from a bullet wound. Gelignite and detonators were found in Aiurphy's clothing. The hearing is not finished.

Late Edition