A MIDNIGHT CHASE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3308, 29 August 1911, Page 5

A MIDNIGHT CHASE.

A MAN AND A GRAMAPHONE. WHAT HAPPENED AT “LANG LEE’S? fSTKCIAL TO TIMES.} AUCKLAND, August 28. At midnight on Saturday two young men. were, standing talking in Victoria. Street. They were close to a small allotment at the rear of a Chinaman’s house, and suddenly there was a startling .crash which sounded 1 like the breaking of glass. Entering the allotment, the young men (George Porter and F. Truer) saw the figure of a man c-iose to the door of the house. Underneath one arm was the horn of a gramophone, whilst he was bolding a . number of disc records with the ether. Some of the records dropped to the ground, and the man stooped down to pick them up. The two watchers remained in silence for a moment, and then, one of them said, “Hi, there, what’s the matter?”

The man, according to the statement of the witnesses, savagely asked them “What it had to do with them,” and followed this up with a stream of filthy language. He then made liis way out of the allotment, retaining the gramophone horn and a. large number of the records. Those he was unable, to carry he left on the grass, evidently intending to return, later for them. Porter and Tinier then went in search of the police, aind in a little while fell m with Sergeant Roche, who was shortly afterwards followed by Constable' _ F. Glaydon. The party then went into the allotment, and the police officers and Truer, finding two locks had been forced in the door, went inside the house, but the Chinese occupant had not returned home. In the meanwhile Porter had remained outside, and l it was mot long before he caught sight of a mam apparently returning in search of the property left behind. “Are you the man who dropped the records?” .politely asked Porter, Another burst of choice language greeted this remark, and on being informed that the police would like a word with Mm he took to his heels. Porter immediately gave ciiase, and the others having came out of the house, also followed ini pursuit. The alleged burglar was very fleet of foot, however, alnd having obtained a fair start had his pursuers at a. disadvantage. All of them followed doggedly despite this, and the fugitive raced down Victoria. Street, along Nelson Street, and eventually to Wellesley Street. Here be was seen to enter a garden, and the party, no doubt glad to conn© to a halt, stopped and made a search.

The man was here caught, lying on the ground near some bushes. On being asked what- lie was doing there, the culprit said' he had -a few drinks, hut gave no further explanation. He was then; handcuffed and taken to the- police station. The alleged burglar was brought up at the Police Court this, morning. His name- was given as George Stead alias George Edward Steele, and the charge against him was that he broke into- the dwelling-house of Lanig Lee -and stole a gramaphone aimd records valued at £9 10s. No evidence, was taken-, SubInspector Hendry asking- for a remand for a- week. This was granted, nothing being said 1 as to- the bail