AGAIN AT WORK

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 2, 4 January 1932, Page 8

AGAIN AT WORK

TWO DARING ROBBERIES

EXPLOSIVES USED

Wakened at 1.30 a.m. to-day by a (dull explosion coming from the direction of the sea, Eastbourne residents did not guess that the noise was caused by tho shattering of a heavy safe on the sands under the Kona Bay Wharf. Daring thieves had just removed the safe from a back room of a drapery store in Eiiuu street, owned by William Munckton. . High-power explosives, used apparently by expert hands, blew the door completely out of the safe, and when it was found by fishermen at 6 o'clock this morning there was no sign of any o£ the contents, which included £4 in silver and copper. The Eastbourne affair follows a very similar robbery on Friday night, when a safe weighing threo hundredweight, and containing £20 in cash, was removed from the premises of John Moron, a draper, at G2, Vivian street, and broken open with explosives near the Massey Memorial at Point Halswcll. Mr. Moron's, safe was recovered from t.ha sea on # Saturday, and with it wero found some of his account books, deeds, and two cheques. These two robberies, which closely resemble the burglary at the Panama Hotel a short time ago, are being investigated by Detective-Sergeant Kevell aud Detective McLennan. FRONT DOOR SMASHED. Mr. Muncktou's shop at fiona Bay was entered by smashing a pane of glass in the front door. A largo showcase in front of the door hid the thieves while they were engaged in forcing an entry, and gave them plenty of opportunity to remove the safe without being seen. Mr. Munckton, who lives near the shop, visited the premises late last night, and at that time everything was- in order. The safe w-cighed about a hundredweight and a half, and could not have been handled by oue man alone. The fishermen who found tho safe immediately communicated with Constable Squire, who took charge until tho arrival-of Detective McLennan. A search was made for any possible clues, and the safe was removed from the beach about S o'clock. VIVIAN STREET ROBBERY. Thieves entered Mr, Moron's shop in Vivian street some time between 5.35 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Friday and removed the safe by dragging it out of the shop on a mat, which was subsequently found iv the sea. It appeared from the position of tho furniture that tho safe had been taken to the back door and carried through a lane to a waiting motor vehicle in Jessie street. When Mr. Moron and his family returned home at 10 o'clock they found the back door open. It was afterwards ascertained that a friend had called at the promises at 8.35 p.m., and everything was then securely fastened. STOLEN MEDAL FOUND. Included in the stolen property were fifty medals, the majority of which were of gold, won by Mr. Moron's daughter, Mrs. E. J. Miller, of Carterton, in dancing competitions. One of these medals was found near the Cenotaph on Saturday and handed to the police. The medals were of an intrinsic value of not less than £100, but a greater sentimental value was placed upon them by their owner. Several cheques of a total face value of about £100 were also stolen.