FOILED BIG ROBBERY

Chronicle (Levin), 13 August 1948, Page 5

FOILED BIG ROBBERY

(N.Z.P.A.-

—ReuteTj

Clever Scotland Yarl Plaa Which Succeeded

Covvriaht)

Received Friday, XQ.5 a.m. LONDQN, Aug. 12. How mem'pers of Scotland Yard Flying Squad posed as warehouse officials and foiled an attempted robbery of a warehouse at London Airport on the night of July 28 was told in the Police Court, when nine men in handcuffs appeared on charges of stealing keys belonging to the warehouse staff. . , The prosecutor "said that 15 policemen, acting on advance information, stationed themselves round the warehouse at midnight. Two posed as loaders and another as a security offlcer with keys to the safe in his pocket. ■ The^ lay down and appeared to be drugged as a lorry pulled up outside and masked men tied up the three police officers and 'struck the man with 'the keys on the back of his head. As the masked men attempted to open the safe, police officers :appeared from hiding. The men used iron bars, coshes, wxrecutters and bliidgeons in the 'ensuing fight. The warehouse held diamonds worth £13,900 and £224,580 worth of other merchandise, continued the prosecutor. A plane carrying £250,000 in gold bullion was expected on the day of the robbery, but was delayed. The prosecutor said it was "an extremely well organised attempt at a robbery of great magnitude." A number of police officers and aceused men were injured in the fight. One man hobbled into dock with a broken ankle. "The hearing was adjourned until August 17. Accused are to remain in custody.