POLICE MAKE BIG SWEEP

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 395, 2 July 1928, Page 1

POLICE MAKE BIG SWEEP

Sequel to Robbery Epidemic FIVE MEN ARRESTED IN WEEK-END FIVE arrests made by the police during the week-end may lead to the clearing up of the series of burglaries done within the last few weeks in the city and suburbs.

Four of the arrests were made yesterday and the fifth was made on Saturday afternoon. All the arrested men appeared at the Police Court to-day, and in each case remands were asked for to enable investigations relating to other charges to be made. Melville Clifford Moller, aged 23, Edwards William Keymer, aged 21, and William John Robinson, aged 21, were jointly charged with breaking and entering a shop at Birkenhead on June 28 and stealing tobacco, cigarettes and chocolate valued at £3O, and 10s in money. In asking for a remand until Thursday, Chief-Letective Hammond said another charge was to be preferred against two of the accused. The remand was granted, and each accused was placed on £l5O bail. Arthur Albert Clark, aged 23, was charged with, breaking and entering by day on June 30, the shop of the Able Tyro Service, Customs Street, and stealing keys and a gold watch valued at £5. Sub-Inspector McCarthy said a number of other charges were pending. Accused was remanded for a week. Summers Heriuka Edwards, aged 36, was charged with breaking and entering the dwelling of Norman E. Russell and stealing a cabin trunk and contents valued at £ 50. Chief-Letective Hammond said that a number of further charges were pending. Edwards was also remanded to appear again next Monday. SMART ARREST Constables Waters and Doel were responsible for a smart arrest at the

intersection of Larby and Elliott Streets last evening about 6 o’clock. While on their beat they noticed a man who appeared to be drilling the door of a tobacconist’s shop. Unknown to the thief they stood for a while and noticed that he was trying to open the door with a Yale key. When the constables approached the man and questioned him they found that he had a set of house-breaking tools in his possession. The man appeared at the Police Court this morning. No doubt his arrest will explain several of the recent thefts in the vicinity of Customs Street. The three voung men who were arrested at Birkenhead in the early hours of yesterday morning by SergeantLetective Loyle and Constable Bishop have probably been responsible for the trouble in that district during the past few weeks. WEEK-END THEFTS Luring the week-end there were several small thefts. Professor R. M. Algie’s house in Remuera Road was entered on Saturday evening and a quantity of goods were stolen. Professor and Mrs. Algie were absent during the evening and found the house in disorder when they returned. The home of Mr. R. Woodgson, West End Avenue, Grey Lynn, was entered during the week-end and £2 10s in money was stolen. Yesterday morning the premises of the Able Tyre Company, Fort Street, were entered and money and a gold watch were found to be missing. Thieves also entered the premises of Campbell’s Traders’ Service, Beach Road, and stole a cashbox containing ss.