CHASED IN CAR

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 893, 10 February 1930, Page 11

CHASED IN CAR

TWO YOUNG MEN ADMIT OFFENCES

THIRD OF TRIO FOR TRIAL Arrested in New Lynn at midnight on February 3 after being chased by Constable Boag in a motor-car, three young men appeared at the Police Court this morning when the constable gave details of the hunt. On charges of breaking and entering, and attempting to break and enter, Archie Robert Windsor and Anthony Howley pleaded guilty and were committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. Harold George Windsor, charged under the name of Henry James Boyd, pleaded not guilty and was committed for trial, bail being allowed in his case in one surety of £IOO. Archie Windsor, aged 23, and Boyd, alias Windsor, aged 24, both labourers, and Howley, a bootmaker, aged 20, were charged with breaking and entering the premises of John Harold Savage at New Lynn on February 3. There was a second count of attempting to break and enter the shop of Robert Whittaker on the same date. Mr. Prendergast appeared for Howley and Mr. Noble for the other two accused, whom, he said, were the brothers Windsor.

Harold Mealing said he was passing along Islington Avenue on January 3 and ha,d seen a torchlight shining oil the back door of Whittaker’s store. The figures of two men were visible in the light. The door was creaking and an attempt was apparently being made to force it. Another man had been on the opposite side of the road from the shop. “He appeared to be watching,” added witness. “I turned back and met tw o other residents, one of whom rang fer the police. I returned to the store, where I could still see the two men at work on the door. The third man was at his post on the other side of the road.” When witness and his companions had got to the back of the shop the men had disappeared. though the marks of their efforts on the door were clearly visible. Wit ness was unable to identify any of the three men, though he had seen two of them run across the road toward the third man.

According to John Harold Savage, he was a fruiterer, of Totara Avenue, New Lynn. He and his wife lived on the premises above the shop. On February 3 he had gone to bed fairly early. About 11, his wife had wakened witness as there was a noise of talking and the door opening below. “I went down,” added Savage. “The door was open about six inches and a glass panel in it "was broken. I went outside and saw Harold Windsor and Howley about 25yds away from the shop.” Witness had called out to a third man across the road, “Hi! Stop them!” All three men had run away toward the Great North Road. THREE MEN ARRESTED

Neville Mortimer Boag said Constable Boag was bis father. He had driven bis father to Whittaker's store about 11.30 p.m. on February 3. On the way back in Totara Avenue witness had seen two forms in the doorway near Savage’s shop. A third figure was on the other side of the road. “I rounded the corner,” said Boag. “The constable jumped out and ran back while I followed in the car and saw Harold Windsor walking leisurely down the footpath. We took him in the car with us and turned back along Totara Avenue. Near the Great North Road we saw two men. My father arrested both of them, and we took all three to the New Lynn Police Station. In the car, pushed down at the back of the seat, where the accused had been sitting, were two torches.” Constable Boag corroborated the evidence of his son, adding that the two figures seen in Savage’s doorway were those of Howley and Archie Windsor. The last two men arrested had been identified by Savage as the two he had seen in the road. Harold Windsor had given the name of Boyd. Witness said Savage had made a mistake in his evidence that he had identified Harold Windsor and Howley. It had been Archie not Harold that he had identified. Detective Allen produced statements made by Archie Windsor and Howley. Both had admitted the offences with which they were charged. Archie Windsor stated it had been his suggestion they should go to New Lynn but Howley had agreed to do the breaking open. Harold Windsor, witness continued, had made a statement denying the offences. He had said he had not been in New Lynn with his brother and Howley. He had been on his way back from Glen Eden, where he had been looking for work when Constable Boag had arrested him. He had not even known that his brother and Howley were in New Lynn. On a summary charge of committing mischief by wilfully damaging a pane of glass belonging to Savage and valued at ss, Archie Windsor and Howley pleaded guilty and were convicted and discharged. Boyd pleaded not guilty, and the case against him was adjourned until he should have stood trial on the major counts.