DESPERATE BURGLARS.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 May 1921, Page 5

DESPERATE BURGLARS.

A WANGANUI SENSATION.

PLUCKY CONSTABLE FIRED AT. TWO ARRESTS MADE. By Telegraph.—Press Associacion. Wanganui,. May 9. A sensational burglary occurred last night at Thomson’s grocery shop, Victoria Avenue, resulting in the arrest of two men found on the premises after a number of shots had been fired by the burglars at the police from revolvers. It appears that having been informed that the back door of his shop was open communicated with the police hnd Constables Roger Wilson and O’Donoghue, accompanied by Thomson and the latter’s brother, visited the shop at seven o’clock. Constable O’Donoghue was posted at the back, Thomson and Constable Wilson entering the front door. Wilson flashed an electric torch and two men were seen standing behind the counter each with a revolver. “Hands up or I’ll shoot,” said one. Wilson immediately switched the light off and ducked behind the weighing scales, while Thomson sought cover behind the cash register. The burglars dashed for the back door with Wilson in pursuit. At the back door one burglar, Allen, confronted by O’Donoghue exclaimed “I’ll shoot.” O’Donoghue, undaunted, went straight at his man, who fired shots, luckily without hitting O’DonOghue. Allen broke away from his clutch, and, racing to the -front of the shop, dived headlong through the glass panel door into the street, where he was seized by the Thomson Bros. He fired another shot, but was quickly overpowered with O’Donoghue’s aid.

SHOT NEARLY FATAL.

In the meanwhile the other burglar, Donovan, found his exit from the shop impeded by falling cases, but with levelled revolver he warned Constable Wilson to stand off. The constable went for the man, who fired, the bullet grazing Wilson’s finger and going through the flap of his coat within a couple of inches of his heart. Wilson grabbed Donovan and threw him and the latter gave in, saying “All right, 11l go.” Both men were taken to the police station and investigation showed that £6, stamps and' some silver had been taken from the cash register. Efforts had been made to force the safe and a pair of gloves was -found. Accused were staying at a hotel under the names of Ross and Gilmour. When arrested they gave the names of Donovan and Bell. A search of their belongings disclosed bunches of keys, a chisel, rope, screwdriver, skeleton key and electric torch. Donovan’s private effects included a military discharge and two war service medals. The revolvers were each seven-chambered and each had been fully loaded.

PRISONERS IN COURT.

Robert Gilmour Allen and Edward Donovan were charged in the Magistrate’s Court this morning with breaking, entering, theft and attempting the murder oi Constables O’Donoghue and Wilson and John Alexander Thomson. A remand was granted until next Monday to enable the police to make inquiries. The /tools found in the possession of the accused are reported to have been stolen from a local plumber.