On This Day, 17 March 1917

Birmingham Mail

Saturday 17 March 1917

ALLEGED METAL THEFT.

CHARGES IN BIRMINGHAM.

Harry Yeomans (40), 289, Victoria Road, Aston, and Ernest Albert Lancaster (41), 2 back 114, Great Colmore Street, were before the Bench in the First Court of Birmingham Police to-day charged with being concerned in the theft of three-quarters of a cwt. of scrap brass on the 16th March, belonging to their employer, F. W. Harris, metal merchant, Hurst Street, Birmingham. Joseph Bradley (77), of 304, Wheeler Street, was charged with receiving the metal knowing it to have been stolen. Detective-superintendent Burnett said Detectives Draisey and Blackwell shadowed Yeomans and Lancaster, and saw them take the brass from a motor lorry and deposit it in an outhouse adjoining a small casting shop occupied by Bradley in Barr Street, Hockley. Detective Draisey stated when a search was made of Bradley’s premises eight ingots of metal were found which had been identified as belonging to Mr. Harris, also other metal which had been recognised as having been stolen. Harry Hamer (47), 5 back 109, King Edward’s Road, was charged with stealing 25lbs. of scrap brass belonging to his employers, Green and Sons, metal dealers, Water street. Superintendent Burnett said Blackwell was making a search while Draisey had Yeomans and Lancaster under arrest, and Hamer came the premises to see Bradley. Prisoners were remanded till Friday, bail being allowed.