SHOPLIFTERS AT WORK

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 262, 1 August 1919, Page 9

SHOPLIFTERS AT WORK

YOUNG WOMAN ARRESTED

THEFT DURING A SALE Shoplifting in some of the principal citiesof the United States is carried on on (i very extensive mid scientific scale, and tho methods employed by the gangs form a formidable barrier against immediate detection. While (hero is no suggestion that there is any organised gang or gangs of shoplifters operating in Xeff Zealand, there is evidence that the practice is being carried out by of tho light-ihigered fraternity, whose efforta have not been without suwess. "Wellington shopkeepers have been somewhat concerned of late o\-e.r the operations of the shoplifters, who appear to be getting a-little more , daring. During the colli , .* of Messrs. Kirkcaldie and Stains' half-year sale, on Wednesday a well-dreyed young woman named Amy Stewart was caught .in tho net of appropriating (wo blouse?. The police were communicated with and tl , woman was prompily arrested. Yesterday she appeared before -Mr. E. Page, S.M., at the Magistrate's Coi'.rt, and pleaded guilty to tlio "thefl ■■■>'•' the property, which was rallied &l £5 Bs. Chief JMeclivo Boddam, who proseeuted, said that he had been informed by Mr. Sidney KirkcaUlie, head of tho firm of Kirkcaldie and Stains, thnt the loss suffered by his firm through shoplifting was very considerable. In I lie past heavy penalties had not been asked for in such cases, but, for the information of those women who go about shoplifting in a systematic manner, unci there are a imod many of them in Wellington, tlio Chief Detective said that heavy penalties would bo asked for in the future. Nothing was previously known e'eaiit the accused, who resided at Upper Hutt. Evidence was given by Detective Torrance that Hie accused had attended a sale, and at an opporiuiie inom?nt picked up 1 lie two blouses and hid them in her mull'. Two assistants witnessed the theft, and witness found the stolen property in the possession of the accused. His Worship commented on the fact that the offence was one which could not bo looked on lightly. The accused would be fined £.i, in default fourteen days' impritsonnient. An order wa.- imulojor the return cf the stolen properly' to the owners. . '