FOUND UNDER THE BED

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 298, 13 June 1912, Page 5

FOUND UNDER THE BED

SHARP STRUGGLE WITH AN INTRUDER. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Wednesday. A rather sensational arrest was made at the Market Hotel in Queen street at about 9 o'clock yesterday morning. The licensee (Mr. Loughnan) went to his room at that hour, and as he entered thought he heard a slight noise emanating from beneath the bed. He at once proceeded to investigate, and was surprised to find a man crouching underneath. Mr. Loughnan is a man of some physical strength, and he lost no time in hauling the stranger out into the middle of the room. An inquiry as to the reason for his presence led to the answer that the intruder was "looking for a man." "Did you expect to find him under the bed ?" was Mr. Loughnan's retort, and' this he followed up with an intimation that he was going to search his prisoner. This the man resented, and with a spring he managed to get clear of the licensee's grip, and rushed into the passage. Mr. Loughnan was not to be so easily evaded, however, and, catching his man, a sharp struggle ensued. Manipulation of what is known to athletes as the "half-nelson" was successfully applied, and Mr. Loughnan promptly sat on his victim while those who were aroused by the_ sounds of the struggle eame to his assistance and rang up for the police. On the arrival of a constable, the man was taken in charge and searched. From his pockets was abstracted a quantity of jewellery and some money. He was then handcuffed and removed to the police station. At the Police Court this afternoon the man, whose name was given as Robert Long, was brought tip on a charge of theft from a dwelling of jewellery valued at £ls, the property of Mrs. Loughnan, wife of the licensee of the Market Hotel! and further with the theft of £3 10s in money. Accused was formally charged and remanded. ' "