AN INTERESTING CASE

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12613, 25 November 1926, Page 6

AN INTERESTING CASE

WAREHOUSE ENTERED A BLACK SOCK-AND A DETECTIVE MEN CHARGED WITH THEFT Charged with breaking and entering the warehouse of Samuel Triester, Vivian street, and stealing therefrom 22 rolls of ilotli and a cheque-book valued at £209 18s, Edward Mav. a labourer, Eric Jones, shop assistant, and Albert James Olsen, a barman, appeared before Mr E. Page, S.M.. at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday. The main piece of evidence in the case was a pair of black silk sox, one of the pair being found in Triester’s warehouse by Detective McClennnn, and its mate being found among the luggage of the accused Mav in Palmerston North, bv Detective Barling. The principal witness was Samuel Triester, a hat and cap manufacturer, of 113, Vivian street, Wellington, who stated that on entering his warehouse he discovered that the door of the office and also the back door of the warehouse had been forced open with an instrument. Further examination showed that rolls of silk, serge and gabardine were missing. Witness identified the silk produced in court. He also stated that Jones, having once been employed by him, was familiar with the premises. Henry Bodley, hotelkeeper, of Palmerston North, said that on November 13th two men approached him and offered him silk for sale. He later identified them as two of the accused. Witness was given a sample of the silk, but had told the men he did not want any. Esther Femley, boardinghousekeeper. of Palmerston, said that two men booked a room at her house, giving the names of Webber and Smith. One of them had a suitcase. ROLLS OF SILK IN SUITCASES Sergeant Power, of Palmerston North, stated that lie saw the three accused together in Palmerston North, on November 13th, and next day, with Detective Barling, visited Mav and Olsen and taxed them with being in possession of stolen property. They denied this, and also that they owned two suitcases which were in tiie room. Witness brought Jones to the police station, and the bags were opened and were found to contain rolls of silk. Attached to one suitcase was a parcel containing a razor, on the case of which was the name of Olsen. Witness interviewed Olsen alone as to what he knew about the suitcases found in his room. He denied all knowledge of them. Witness later told the men they would be charged with breaking and entering Mr Triester’s premises. On November 15th Mr Bodley identified Olsen and Jones as the men who had tried to sell him the silk. Detective E. Barling, also of Palmerston North, gave corroborative evidence. Timothy Moynahan. a labourer, said that all three accused were staying at Mrs Roberts’s boarding house, 198, Vivian street, Wellington, on November 9th. May shared a room with witness, and the other two had separate rooms. Detective McClennnn also cave evidence that he found in Triester’s premises a black silk sock that was apparently the mate of one found in Palmerston by Detective Barling. All three accused pleaded not guilty, reserved their defence, and were committed for trial. Bail of £3OO and one s’uretv of £3OO was allowed in each case.