BURGLARY EPIDEMIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 50, 21 May 1927, Page 1

BURGLARY EPIDEMIC

Clearing It Up—Magistrate Congratulates the Police

FURTHER CHARGES BROUGHT SOME sensational disclosures in connection with the abnormal number of burglaries which have startled Auckland of late may be expected next Thursday when four people—three men and a woman—will appear before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., at the Police Court. The police state that the two men mainly concerned in the burglaries have confessed.

The story of the clearing of the mystery surrounding the robberies began when James Mclntyre, aged 56, and Amelia Cooper, a married womgn of 35, were charged on Tuesday with being illegally in possession of explosives—gelignite, caps, and fuses. Frank Bailer, who is only 24, was charged at the same time with breaking and entering a shop in Dominion Road and stealing clothing worth £43 14s. Then yesterday there was another development following an arrest on Thursday. Jack Johnston, aged 29, appeared in the court, also on a burglary charge which concerned the theft of nearly £4O worth of shaving gear and tobacco from a shop in Manukau Road.

Referring again to the man and the woman, Mr. Cummings went on, “The two accused have said that they will accept the responsibility of giving them the explosives.” Nearly £3OO worth of the stolen property has been recovered. “I think you ought to be congratulated on getting these men, Mr. Cummings,” said the magistrate.

This morning marked a further step forward. Bailer and Johnston stood side by side in the dock charged with breaking and entering the Arctic Fur Company’s warehouse in Jersey Street, Newton, on the night of March 20, and stealing £6OO worth of fur coats, chokers and fox skins. Chief-Detective Cummings asked for a further remand until May 26, observing that still further charges were pending against these two men. The magistrate wanted to know something about them. “The arrest of the two accused, as well as other recent arrests (referring to Mclntyre and Mrs. Cooper) will clear up the serious epidemic of burglary in Auckland during the last three months,” said the chief detective.