THIEVES ENTER SHOP

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 64, 18 December 1946, Page 5

THIEVES ENTER SHOP

YOUNG BOYS SUSPECTED PETTY CASH TAKEN The premises occupied by Mr Alan Morpeth, Men’s Outfitter, in the Strand were broken into by thieves between mid-day and 3 p.m. on Saturday afternoon apd a small amount of cash and stock taken. It is suspected that the culprits were young boys, but at the same time, a certain amount of ‘professional’ knowledge appeared, to be behind the act.

Entry was gained through a rear window which besides being locked on either side with draw-bolts, was also barred on the inside. The window was broken and the bolts pulled back, the thieves apparently wriggling through the space between the bars. A bottle of ink was spilled on the desk in the stdre room, and the culprits left inky hand marks and fingerprints in several parts of the shop. A tin containing £1 in cash was opened and the contents taken, but several open cheques were not touched. A Post Office Savings Bank book was also left. From the shop, itself, petty cash amounting to approximately £2 10s was taken. ' This was in a tin placed well under the counter, indicating that a thorough search had been made.

The stock taken consists only, as far is known, of one p,air of sports trousers which had already been purchased. At 3 p.m., Mr Morpeth had occasion to go to the shop, and it is thought that the thieves were forced to make a hurried exit. They left four pairs of trousers in a pile near the door. There were also indications that an attempt had been, made to force the rear window of the adjoining premises occupied by Mr A. A. Newman, but apparently the only lever available was too large to fit under the sash.