THEFT OF BYCLCLES

Otago Witness, Issue 2815, 26 February 1908, Page 58

THEFT OF BYCLCLES

I(Frou Ovr-Own Cokbespondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, February 22. Bicycle-stealing has been evident 'in Christohuroh for years, but yesterday the police made an arrest which may have the effect of checking the, practice. The man had, it is stated, been responsible for the theft of two motor bicycles and a large number of bicycles, and he had secured the use of a forge on a form at' Yaldhuret .at - which so to alter the machine? that they could not be identified by their owners. His custom was to sell the stolen bicycles after they had been " doctored" to casual purchasers, who were wiliiug to secure a cheap bicycle without asking questions, and he seems to have conducted, quite a large business along these lines. Some days ago two detectives visited the farm at Yaldhursfc and made a search of the forge used by the suspected _man. They found four bicycles in .various stages of -alteration and parts of other machines, -as well as a motor cycle . that had been stolen in the city. The man, himself was absent, and hie whereabouts cQtJd not be ascertained, but a search was ' instituted,' 'and 'yesterday he -was arrested ■ in Manchester street." "The ' Times' "says that statements made fey. > the man after arrest and the 'results of ' a further search- of -his belongings made the chain of evidence -fairly complete. 'He indicated to the''polico where another- stolen" motor cycle could be recovered, and amongst his belongings were found receipts for money received in connection with the eale of a number of bicycles.