THE OKATO BURGLARY.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 May 1918, Page 4

THE OKATO BURGLARY.

FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS TWO MEN RE-ARRESTED. Following upon the arrest of three men alleged to have been caught in the act of committing burglary and theft at Greenway Bros.' store, Okato, early on Sunday morning last, warrants were taken out by the police, and the houses of the men concerned were searched. The warrants were executed by Plain-clothea Constable Fitzgibbon, of New Plymouth, and Constable O'Neill, of Rahotu, and the result was the re-arrest of Frederick W. Roebuck and Frederick T. McGregor, yesterday. The men were brought to New Plymouth, and will appear before the magistrate this morning. A remand will probably be applied for. It appears that for some time past suspicions have been aroused by tho disappearance of goods from both the stores at Okato, but there has been no chie as to who was responsible therefor. Ultimately it was resolved to keep a watch on the premises on certain nights, with the result that the men concerned in the case were caught on Sunday mtorning. The police met with no opposition when they went to search the houses on Monday afternoon. Roebuck's house was the first visited, and a large quantity of men's and ladies' new clothing, including underwear, overcoats and dress materials, was discovered in the house and under the house. The search at McGregor's was almost equally successful, a considerable quantity of similar goods being found. There was also found a quantity of household linen, some sail cloth, a ham, cutlery, and a miscellaneous collection of goods. Both Roebuck 'and McGregor -are married men. Roebuck is a well-known resident of the district, but McGregor has only been in the locality a short time, having come from Nelson about nine months ago. A Corbott is a single man, who lives with his parents, and is well known in the district. A search of his room failed to reveal anything of a suspicious nature. The value of the goods recovered, Which have been taken charge of by the police, is approximately £BO. Much of the booty has been identified by Greetowsy Bros, and J. S. Fox, as goods which previously formed part of the stocks at their stores.