BURGLARS AGAIN

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2809, 29 June 1916, Page 6

BURGLARS AGAIN

DAYLIGHT ROBBERIES RESUMED HON. J. G. )l AITKEN'S HOUSE ENTERED A few months ago several people in Wellington suffered as a result of daylight burglaries, all evidently tho work of ono man or party. About ten or a dozen places were visited whilst the occupants were out, and money and jewellery (for the most part) rewarded tho enterprising burglar, whoso methods were clever enough to evade capture by the police. On that occasion homes iu Oriental Bay, Eoseueath, Roxburgh Street, Austin and Brougham Streets, and in Newtown were rifled in daylight, whilst everyone was out, among the sulferors being the City Solicitor (Mr. John O'Shea), and the Mayor (Mr. .1. P. Luke).

Evidently the burglar has a leaning towards those holding official positions, because during the prosent week there has been a recrudescence of daylight burglaries, and among the houses mtered was that of the Hon. J. G. W. Aitken, M.L.C, (chairman of the Education Board), in Levy Street, off Majoribanks Street. Whilst tho house was without an occupant, the burglar entered through a back window, and without making any fuss, or disturbing things, went methodically through the place, and succeeded in picking up here and there about .£2O worth of jewellery, mostly the property of Miss Mary Aitken (Mr. Aitken's niece). Most of this Miss Aitken hcwl taken the precaution to conceal under 6ome folded clothes at the bottom of a wardrobe, but tho thief discovered the plant and made away with it. This was on Tuesday afternoon. On Monday afternoon, between 2.30 and 4.30 p.m., the same (or he is supjwsed by the police to be tho same) marauder entered the home of Mrs. Peters, in Hawker Street, whilst she and her daughters were in town seeing the parade of troops. It was another caso of entrance by the back window. This window, the bottom part of which had uever been opened during Mrs. Peters's tenancy until prised open by tho burglar, was found open when Mrs. Peters returned, and at once the suspicion flashed across her mind that someono had been there who had no business to be. An immediate search proved this to be tho case. From one drawer a gold watch and gold bangle, belonging to (diss Peters, were found to be missing. But the burglar must have been disturbed, because in the next drawer was another gold watch, two pendants in cases, and a chain, which the thief could not possibly have missed "had, he opened tho drawer.

It is 6tated that other places have also been visited during: the last day or two, eo it is advisable that people in the habit of leaving their houses unguarded should know that they take a risk by leaving their' valuables lying around. " he perpetrator of these burglaries works cm pretty safe lines. It is assumed that ho watches a place for a day or two until he gets to know i.ts regular occupants, then waits for a chance when fchoy aro all out. Finally Tie probably knocks at the door (preferably a sidedoor) to make sure that no one is in and then, having made certain that tho coast is clear, he gets to work—always or nearly always-'-at the rear uf ths house, out of sight of neighbour.-!.