A SMART ARREST.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 13877, 1 February 1909, Page 5

A SMART ARREST.

CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 30. Recently there have been a number of complaints regarding petty thefts from wagons standing in the ' railway yards, and at the Magistrate's, Court to-day three men were charged with having stolen goods from a van on Friday night. The case was remanded till Wednesday next. It appears that on Friday night shunter Laurence, who before joining the railway service wks a particularly smart member of the police force stationed at different places in Otago and Southland, and who on the night mentioned was -in charge of the yard, whilst on his rounds had his suspicions aroused that a closed van had been tampered with, and he thereupon hid under it. Presently four engine-cleaners appeared on. the scene atid proceeded to burst open the van. One 4$ them remained on watch and went away some considerable distance .from, the., van. . ,The others got into the van, with the intention of apparently of helping themselves to some of the goods. Laurence emerged from his hiding-place, closed and locked the door of the van^and communicated with the police, who -arrested the men. The fourth man got away. . ,