DRAMATIC CHASE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 April 1938, Page 6

DRAMATIC CHASE

WERAROA YOUTHS CAPTURED CAREER OF MISCHIEF ENDS NEAR EKETAHUNA CRASH IN STOLEN MOTOR-CAR A dramatic chase along a bould-er-strewn river-bed and over rough scrub country by a party of police and farmers, culminated yesterday evening in-the capture, near Eketahuna, of the two youthful escapees from Weraroa, who in the past few days, are alleged to have stolen motor cars, bicycles, money and goods while roaming’ the district.

The story behind their exploits and subsequent arrest reads like a chapterfrom an American detective magazine. The youths embarked on their shortlived foray in the grey dawn of the morning of March 31, when they escaped from Weraroa. One of them came from Masterton, and he set off for the Wairarapa, accompanied by his partner.

Of their movements during their first couple of days of freedom, little is known, but they made their presence felt on Sunday when they stole a motorcar from Woodville. This was later abandoned in favour of another one. Their arrival in Masterton was signalised on Monday when the car taken from Woodville was found at Solway. For the next twenty-four hours the youths led the Masterton police a merry dance. Four motor-cars, taken from private garages, four bicycles, a sum of money and a quantity of provisions are their reported tally during their visit to Masterton. At least two other private cars, it is said, were also tampered with. Abortive efforts were made throughout yesterday to locate the lads and the police were preparing for another all-night search when word was received from Eketahuna that they had been captured. It now transpires that after taking a car from Mr H. J. Parsonson’s garage in Short Street, the youths headed north again. They came to grief, however, about four miles south of Eketahuna, when their “borrowed”’ car crashed into the abutments of a concrete bridge. The car was extensively damaged, but the occupants were not injured. Bereft of the car, the lads continued afoot, but, as they showed, while in Masterton, they were particularly averse to walking. They solved their problem by taking a car from Mr Watson’s farm on the main road between the scene of their crash and Eketahuna.

On their way through Eketahuna about 4.30 a.m., the lads broke into the tea rooms owned by the Misses Morris and stole cash and goods to the value of about £2. With daylight approaching, they turned up a side road leading to Rongomai,- about four miles north of Eketahuna, and abandoned Mr Watson’s car near Mr C. Dagg’s farm. The Eketahuna police were notified of the presence of the abandoned car about 4 p.m., and Constable Watt, assisted by Mr Dagg and several farmers immediately commenced a search for the wanted youths. Darkness had almost set in when, after a tantalising game of fox and hounds, over very rough country, one of the lads was caught. Another hour elapsed before his companion was run to earth, at the bottom of a deep ravine. Once the searchers caught up with them, the lads offered no resistance. They, showed little effect of their experiences of the past few days. The youths were taken in custody to Palmerston North last night by Detective W. Fell, who came to Eketahuna to assist in the search.

ANOTHER BREAKAWAY TWO OTHER YOUTHS ESCAPE PALMERSTON NORTH, April 5. Two more boys were discovered missing from Weraroa 'this morning. Both are 16 years of age. One is sft Ilin in height, well built, with light brown hair and medium complexion. The other is sft 6in in height, has fair hair, blue eyes, and fresh complexion, and is of slight build. They had not been recaptured tonight.