POST OFFICE ROBBERY

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 536, 1 June 1920, Page 4

POST OFFICE ROBBERY

RUNCIMAN SENSATION.

THIEF PRODUCES REVOLVER

ONE SHOT FIRED ON ROAD,

BOOTY AMOUNTS TO JEl<>7

A robbery under sensational circumstances was reported to have occurred at the Runciman Post Office about six o'clock on Friday evening. The robbery caused quite a sensation, following as it did so closely on the Pons<Tnby Post Office burglary and murder case. The statement made by Arthur Charles Whitburn, about 17 years of age, a lettac-carrier at the Rynciman Post Office, and son of 'the postmistress, Mrs. Helen Whitburn, indicates that the crime was effected as the result of a carefully-thought-out plan, which for cunning and "bluff" has not been equalled for a long time. The lad was in the habit of opening the office at seven o'clock in the morning and remaining in charge until relieved by his mother at nine o'clock. The ordinary routine was followed on Friday morning, the only difference being that his sister Mies Whitburn, took charge at nine o'clock :to enable him to distribute some mail. He returned to the office at twenty minutes past three o'clock, and was left in charge at five o'clock, when his sister went off duty. Half an hour later he locked up and started on his bicycle for his home, a mile and a-quarter distant, on the Karaka Road.

"Bailed Up" on the Road. At the Waiuku crossing a man whom he had seen twice previously hailed him, saying, "There is a registered letter in the officl for Wilson." The lad said, "Is there?" The man replied: "Yes, I want to got ; it." Whitburn offered to go back to the office to get the letter, but the man said: "Give me the keys; I'll go back myself," at the same time producing a revolver and pointing it at Whitburn. At the sight of the revolver the lad became alarmed and gave up the keys. The man then took hold of Whitburn's bicycle by the handle-bar, saying: "Get off and get away home." The lad let go his bicycle and commenced walking in the direction of his home.

The man's objects was only too obvious, and, with a view to gaining time, just prior to mounting Jthe bicycle he fired a shot, but in which direction Whitburn was unable to say. Instead of increasing his speed homeward, on hearing the report from the revolver, the lad turned and began walking toward the office. At the Karaka Road corner he met two men, to whom he related what had taken place. Mr. Arnold Bycroft and his sister came up on bicycles, and one of the men suggested that Whitburn should borrow Miss Bycroft's bicycle, and in'jgjnpany with Mr. Bycroft pui'sue 'ifie'.ijhief. This •was done, and on the vfay to the post office they found the lighted lamp from the stolen bicycle lying on the roadside. On arrival at the office they found the door open, and Whitburn ran ovar to Mr T. Sloane for assistance, and also called, the railway workmen, all of whom took up positions immediately in front of the office, waiting for the man o come out. Mi'. Bycroft went to ttie Drury railway station and telephoned to Constable Johnstone at Papakura. On his return he went for Mr. Whitburn. In the meantime Sergeant Cowan, of Pukekohe, had been communicated with ,ancl he and Conisihble Wolfcndale arrived on the. scene about half-an-houi* later. " Unsuccessful Search for Thief.

Oil entering the office Sergeant Cowan found'it in a state of dieora#r. The cash box wds-Ajiiug on the floav empty, there being no sign of

ftfre, thief. "Questioned as to the appearance of the man Whitburn said he was between sft Gin and sft Tin in height. He was wearing a black felt hat and a dark overcoat, and had the lower part of his face from the bridge of his nose covered with a scarf. The colour of his hair or eyes could not be seen, owing to the fading light. Word having been received that a cyclist had been seen riding^.at a great speed in 'file direction of Papakura, a search'" party proceeded along that road, and Constable Johnstone came on to meet them. No sign of the fugitive was discovered, however.

On Saturday morning ®onstable Johnstone found the first trace of the thief, this being the stolen bicycle, which was discovered in a eiump of gorse in Papakura. Detectives McHugh and Sullivan, of Auckland, went out early in the morning, and the seadi was continued throughout the day, but without success.

Investigations revealed that in all £57 in cash, £27 in cheques and £23 in Government vouchers were stolen, making a total of £lO7. A cheque taken from the post office was picked up on the Takanini Road on Sunday.—Herald report.