FOOTPADS AT WORK.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 February 1917, Page 2

FOOTPADS AT WORK.

MORE PALMERSTON RESIDENTS HELD UP. Palmerston N., Feb. 16. Palmerston North residents are becoming alarmed at the daily continuation of outrages by two masked men. and so daring have these highwaymen become that they have commence'.! operations right in the heart of tho town. Last night a youns girl IB years of age, named Gladys Little, who is cmployed by Mr. Charles Rush, manager of the Manawatu Times, at his private residence, had the terrifying experience of meeting the two men and receiving a very serious handling front them. The girl was waylaid at the beginning of Ada street, at the back of the Opera House, and was rendered unconscious and robbed of a sum of money and some jewellery. Seen subsequently, she was naturally in a very much agitated condition, but told the following story:—"l was coining home from tlifl Post Office, where I had been to post a letter, and when 1 had come from an alleyway leading past the Opera Hounc into Ada street two men suddenly came out of the dark and put something over my mouth and nose. I fried to scream, but could not. They carried me over to tho shadows nearby. ... I "could

then see that there was a tall man and :i Ehort man. The big man got hold of my hair and held on to it, and told me that if I made a row they would knock me senseless. The little man then pulled my purse from me and ripped it open The big man said, 'Be careful and don't let anything lie about.' Just then somebody came down the road, and I tried to cry out, and struggled, but the big roan held my elbows behind me and hurt me so much that I was frightened, and did not. The little man, who had torn my bag, then took the money out of it, which would amount to nearly one pound in silver. They also took nis brooch. They must have hit me then, for the next thing I knew I woke up on the ground, crying, and the men had disappeared." The girl also stated that the men carried torchlights, which they flashed into her eyes so that •she would have difficulty.in recognising them. Detective-Sergeant Qmrke, Sergeant Henry, and Constable Boyd arrived soon after the outrage. They are confident that an early arrest will be effected. In addition to other cases mentioned, it appears that Mr. Lewis, a clerk, employed by Messrs. Rutherford and Con--nell, was held up on the Foxton line on Wednesday night. Mr. Lewis put up ft fight and escaped. Two other incidents are reported. On Wednesday night between 11 o'clock and midnight, a Mr. Dreggan, from Taranaki, was attacked by two men. Mr. Dreggan 'is a big man, and Ue gave a good account of himself, managing to knock one of his assailants down. However, he in turn was knocked down, and his pockets -were gone through and £2 odd taken. A young lady was held up in Queen street last night, but no particulars ■are available. The operations of the men are causing quite a sensation in the district