BANK ROBBERY.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 January 1921, Page 6

BANK ROBBERY.

CLERK GAGGED AND BOUND. ALL AVAILABLE CASH STOLEN. A bank official of the Annandale branch of the Australian Bank of Commerce, 115 a, Booth Street, Annandale, had an unenviable experience one afternoon, recently when a most daring daylight robbery was carried out at the expense of the bank. The official’s name is Clive Garrad, and" he was the only person in the bank when the law-breakers entered. Three o’clock—closing time —was just chiming when two men came in the door. Garrad was straightening things up behind the counter at the time, and they walked over to him. One of them, according to information given the Annandale police, asjeed for change of a note, and Garrad opened a drawer to comply with the request.

While he was engaged in getting the change, the door was suddenly closed, and Garrad, looking up, found himself gazing into the muzzle of a wickedlooking revolver. He was ordered to put up his Lands, and warned against uttering any cry for help, the latter injunction being accompanied by a menacing move on the part of the man who held the revolver. . The other man then went round behind the counter, his mate still keeping the revolver pointing at Garrad. Taking some strong cord from his i pocket, the man tied Ganad securely, ending up by gagging him with a handkerchief. Both men then ransacked the premises. Luckily the branch is. only a small one, and there was only about £5O in cash on the premises. This the men pocketed, and with a last hasty glance around went out the door, closing it carefully behind them. Garrad was in an awkwafd position. He was unable to move his hands or 'feet, and the gag effectively precluded any efforts to raise the alarm. However, he was able to move his head from side to side, and after about half-an-hour’s effort in this direction the gag worked sufficiently loose to enable him to call for assistance.

For some time he called out, and the unusual noise eventually drew the attention of a nearby shopkeeper. Running along the street, he was guided to the bank by cries for help, and he burst the door open. Garrad was released, and the police informed of the occurrence. Detectives Truskett and James and Constables Gib bert and Jurd were detailed to make inquiries, but their efforts to trace the men concerned in the robbery were unsuccessful. The premises were in a hopeless state of confusion, as the marauders had hastily scattered papers over the floor, in a vain search for more money.