TAXI HOLD=UP

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 October 1943, Page 3

TAXI HOLD=UP

DRIVER ROBBED BY MARINES THIRD CASE IN SHORT PERIOD ' (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. For the third time in a comparatively short period a taxi hold-up in which United States servicemen figured took place in the Wellington area early yesterday morning, when two men identified as Marines relieved Mr Joseph Barnao, a night driver for the Black and White Taxi Co., Ltd., of £lO. According to Mi" Barnao’s statement he picked up two Marines about midnight at Cambridge Terrace and Vivian Street and agreed to take them to Johnsonville. He had at the time a woman passenger, also going to Johnsonville, and a Marine bound for Central Park. The original two passengers were taken to their destinations. At the request of the two Marines the taxi-driver drove on to a point just past Tawa Flat township.

On arrival there, Mr Barnao says, he asked for their fares, whereupon one who had been sitting in the back seat with a bandage round his head and apparently feigning sickness, pointed a revolver, ordering him to “stick them up.” The other Marine then searched him and took all his cash, £lO. They ordered the driver to drive them to Titahi Bay. When about 100 yards on the Titahi Bay road they told him to turn round. They then got out and told the driver to “get going,” again threatening him with dire consequences if he did not obey. Two Marines, part of a trio of United States servicemen .who held up two taxi-drivers in Wellington more than a month ago, have been sentenced by a military tribunal to five and two years’ imprisonment respectively. The trial of the third member of the trio has not yet been completed. A taxi hold-up during the latter part of September by two Marines resulted in their apprehension by military investigators within four days. These men have been found guilty and are awaiting sentence.