Melbourne Sensation

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 29, 2 October 1915, Page 5

Melbourne Sensation

BURGLARY AND MURDER. POLICEMAN SHOT DEAD. TWO BURGLARS INJURED AND IN HOSPITAL. GANG OF THREE ARRESTED. United Press Association. Melbourne, October J. A sensational encounter took place between police and three burglars at the Trades Hall, resulting in Constable McGrath being shot dead, and two of the intruders, John Jackson and Richard Buckley, being wounded. A constable on duty at the Trades Hall had his suspicions aroused by a slight sound of sawing. He sent for assistance, and a posse of police surrounded the building. On entering it they were met with a volley of revolver shots, to which they replied. When the lights were turned on two men were seen running along the oom_ dor. Constable McGrath hurried along the passage, where he was subsequently found in a dying condition. The two burglars then rushed for a door, amid a rapid exchange of shots between them and the police. Jackson, who, was wounded in the thigh and Juul received a broken ankle, was secured in the building, and Buckley, who was seriously wounded in the neck, collapsed after reaching the yard. Meantime, the third burglar. Ward, was caught when attempting to escape from a window. Constable McGrath received two shots in the breast when entering the doorway of the corridor. ■ Sub-Inspec-tor McKenna had a. narrow escape. A burglar fired a shot which grazed him and entered the thigh of a second burglar, Jackson, who was in the line of fire. Buckley 5 and Jasksou are in hospital. and subsequently, with Ward, will he charged with the murder of McGrath. The burglars’ objective was the office of the Typographical Society. The safe was found wrenched from its stand, and portion of its steel hack was sawn off. When they were interrupted the men were prising the safe open with a jemmy. There have been several attempted burglaries at the Trades-Hall . Lately. One succeeded. £-100 being stolen, and since then the hall has been closely watched.