MASQUERADING AS POLICE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2892, 18 August 1909, Page 30

MASQUERADING AS POLICE.

THIEVES IN CHINAMAN'S HOUSE. CHRISTCHUSCH, August 14. About 9 o'clock last evening t\ro men (one dressed as a "policeman and the other wearing civilian clothes) visited a houst? situated in the suburbs and tenanted' by Chinese. He/ informed the inmates that they were police officers, and had been instructed to search, the place for opium. The Chinamen, protested, and) said they had no opium in the house, but the visitors said they had, and forthwith proceeded to, search the house. The Chinamen resented .their action, but one of the men, it is alleged, produced a revolver^ and covered them white the other continued the search. No opium "was discovered, but th« intruders are stated to have found £20 beJorigdng to the Chinamen, which they pocketed. They said they would take the money to the Police Station, and if the Chinamen called there this morning it would be refunded to them. In order to set the Chinamen's minds at rest a receipt was given for the amount.

One of the Chinamen went along to the "Police Station this morning to collect the £20, and was surprised to find it was not there. He then, through the medium of an interpreter, explained what had occurred. He was quite satisfied he would be able to identify the men again. This afternoon one of the men alleged to be implicated was _ arrested at the Kjccarton races.

CHRISTCHURCH, August 15. , Some doubt exists as to ■yhether the Tight men have beck apprehended in connection with the robbery from a phinaman by men masquerading as policemen, as the "Chinaman to-day failed to identify the man and his mate trho are alleged to v have been the robbers.