THRILLING MAN HUNT

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 529, 5 December 1928, Page 1

THRILLING MAN HUNT

Suspects on Motor-Cycle CAPTURE AT REVOLVER POINT (From Oar Oun ConcapO)UlcHtJ OPOTIKI, To-day. TWO suspected thieves dashing at high speed on a motorcycle, an accident to their pursuer on another motorcycle, and the capture of the suspects at the point of a revolver by a constable Ij'ing in wait for them. These were the features of a thrilling little drama that was staged near Opotiki yesterday.

Shortly after noon yesterday the police received* word that a robbery had occurred at Nuhaka, a small township between Gisborne and Wairoa and that the suspects were travelling toward Motu, about forty miles south of Opotiki. At half-past one word was received that two men had passed through Motu at a high speed on a motor-cycle. Constable Breed stationed himself at Otara Bridge, at the borough boundary, receiving word from various places of the progress of the suspects. INSPECTOR HIDES HIMSELF Mr. T. Morrell, the borough traffic inspector, who was assisting Constable Breed, proceeded some miles on a motor-cycle toward Motu and hid himself and his machine. After the suspects, who were travelling fast, had passed, Mr. Morrell followed behind. While negotiating a bend near Tirohanga, the inspector’s motor-cycle skidded, crashing into a telegraph pole. Mr. Morrell received a broken collarbone and was assisted by another

motor-cyclist who witnessed the mishap. and removed to the Opotiki Hospital. REVOLVER PRODUCED About 5.30 the suspects arrived at the bridge where the constable was stationed. He called upon them to stop, but he had to produce his revolver before the machine pulled up. One of the suspects was riding pillion on the motor-cycle. Both were arrested and locked up. The sequel was heard in the Police Court this morning, when Robert Cyril Soutliwood and Francis Charles Gomez were charged before a justice that on December 3 they did break into a shop at Nulmka and steal numerous articles, the property of some person unknown. They were remanded to appear at Gisborne tomorrow. The Bench complimented the constable on his smart capture. Numerous articles were found on both accused, also in a bag carried on the motor-cycle. Both accused were taken to Gisborne by car this morning.