SEARCH FOR DRUGS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 784, 3 October 1929, Page 1

SEARCH FOR DRUGS

HAIRDRESSER’S LONG LIST OF THEFTS READY FOR ROTO ROA A pitiable figure as he sat slumped forward in a chair in the Police Court dock this morning, Bernard Luks pleaded guilty to eleven charges of theft. He was said by ChiefDetective Hammond to be a drug addict and the case was stood down for several minutes owing to the accused having a sudden fit. According to the charge sheet, Luks had stolen goods and money of a total value of £3B 11s lid. His loot included drugs, a hypodermic syringe and general medical supplies; scissors, hair-clippers and toilet requisites. Chief-Detective Hammond said that the thefts had been committed while accused was under the influence of drugs. Most of the offences had been committed in daylight from hairdressing and toilet saloons in the city. Luks had gone to the hospital and' stolen medical supplies from the cupboard while the nurse had her back turned. He would steal any drugs he could lay his hands on. The money he had snatched from the till at a toilet saloon while the proprietress was engaged with a customer. “In every case the goods taken were removed to a small hair-dressing establishment that Luks was running in Eden Terrace,” added the chief-detec-tive. “Most of the property has been recovered.”

Luks’s record stated that he had served two years’ reformative detention and been on probation for two years. He was described as alias Burnett Lux, alias Thompson, a hairdresser, aged 27.

Staff-Captain Holmes of the Salvation Army said that the rpan had previously been on Roto Roa Island, where he had done well. Six months after his discharge he had again fallen a victim to the drug habit. The captain suggested a further term of two years on the island and Luks said from the dock that he was agreeable. Air. F. K. Hunt, S.M.: I should think he would be. A remand was made until Saturday to enable Luks to be taken down to Roto Roa in the launch which leaves tomorrow.