DETECTIVES FIRE IN CHASING SUSPECTS

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5312, 27 January 1947, Page 5

DETECTIVES FIRE IN CHASING SUSPECTS

( Press Assn.

'EXP1XSIVES FOUND TWO MEN ESCAPE WHEN CHALLENGED

—By Teleffraph — Copyright.)

AUCKLAND, Last Night. Two Auckland detectives each fired automatic .pisfols in the early hours of yesterday, one in the* gully under Grafton Bridge and the other outside the Central Police Station in Prince's Street, ~when two mfen who were wanted for questioning made off in" the darkness. It is known that neither of the men was wounded. It is some years since Auckland police officers have discharged firearms in the execution of their duty. The identity of both men is known. Near the taxi in which the two were accosted near the corner of Park and Grafton Roads shortly after 2.30 a.m., detectives discovered explosives, including gelignite, detonators which had been fitted, and a fuse. In the taxi itself they found property which the police suspect is identical with goods stolen from a store at Ramarama. ■Detective-Sergeant W1 H. A. Sharp was driving a police patrol car in which also were Detectives J. Russell and L. G. Schultz, when they came upon a taxi near the hospital end of 'Grafton Bridge. Two of the detectives approached the taxi to question two men in the rear seat when one opened a door and ran away. He was pursued into the gully beneaijh the btridge hy Deteetive Russell, who palled upon hira- to stop. He did not halt and all trace was lost. Meanwhile Deteetive Schultz instructed the taxi-driver to go to the central station, where he intended to question the -other passenger. On arrival at the station, as the deteetive opened one door of the taxi, the man opened the otBer and dashed off into Alhert Park. In spitd of a warning the man failed to stop and the dete'ctive fired into the air. An immediate search of Albert Park and streets nearhy by the police failed -to locate the wanted man.