CAPTURED.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 262, 15 November 1928, Page 5

CAPTURED.

WAHAROA BURGLARY. Youths Caught in the Act. Waharoa was the scene of a mild sensation early on Wednesday morning, when Mr. J. D. Bryce’s general grocery store was broken into by two youths, one a child welfare case and the other a local lad considered to be somewhat “ wanting.” The leader was captured and handed over to the police and the other lad was located later at his home.

At about 2 a.m. Mr. and Mrs. Bryce’s eldest daughter, Lorraine, heard the dog whining. The dog, it may be explained, is a very fine, wellbred cocker spaniel, and intensely devoted to the children. Lorraine got up and went out to see what ailed the animal, but could not find him. In the meantime another daughter, “ Kath,” awoke Mr. Bryce and told him that Lorraine was out looking for the spaniel. Mr. Bryce then got up and went searching for both. He did not find the dog either, but in his search he went to the shop, with an electric torch, and to his surprise he heard a noise inside the shop. He went back to the house and told his wife, who ran over and informed Mr. R. Casey, butcher, across the road. In the meantime Mr. Bryce went back to the shop and kept watch on the alleyway, in which direction he anticipated the intruders would make their escape. His judgment proved correct, for one of them got out of the back window of the shop and bolted across the alleyway, and then endeavoured to climb the fence opposite. Mr; Bryce rushed after him and collared him, and was battling with the invader when Mr. Casey arrived and they both tied the youth up, took him over to the butcher’s shop, and rang for Constable Connor, of Matamata. The constable duly arrived arid took the youth, who took the handcuffing quite coolly, in charge. He had told them that his companion was working on a certain farm. They went out to the farm and found the information incorrect, but on the way a saddled horse at a gate told the true tale. What happened to the dog was it had been dropped down a rubbish hole, after having barked at the intimdqrs. It could not get out, hence the whining.

The youth who is assumed to he the leader was armed with a sheath knife and a chisel and was -making a good haul. He had a bottle of smelling salts, a bottle of brilliantine, a fountain pen, pairs of fancy socks—evidently going to he a dandy. The other youth had contented himself with two tins of tobacco.