YIELDED TO TEMPTATION

Evening Star, Issue 24326, 15 October 1942, Page 3

YIELDED TO TEMPTATION

“ SMASH AND GRAB " JEWELLERY ROBBERY (P.A.) WHANGAREi, October 14. Admitting the theft from Fisher and Son of jewellery valued at £557, Thomas Edward McMahon, aged 43, of Auckland, was to-day remanded for sentence at the Auckland Supreme Court. McMahon pleaded guilty 7 to smashing the window of a local jeweller’s shop and stealing 12 rings, 15 watches, 7 gold lockets, 12 silver neck chains, 6 diamante necklets and 2 golden crucifixes, of a total value of £233. From another jeweller, James Parkinson, he stole a display pad containing 23 diamond rings valued at £293. In a voluntary statement to Detective Cromwell, McMahon said that, as he was returning to camp late at night after drinking, he saw the jeweller’s shop window, and the temptation was too great. He procured a large stone, wrapped it in sacking, and broke the plateglass window. He seized the jewellery, and took it to camp, where he stowed it in his kitlbag. Obtaining leave shortly afterwards, lie visited Auckland, where he “ planted ” it. He broke 1 up some of the rings, and disposed of the loose diamonds and other articles to Auckland jewellers and pawnbrokers. Six ladies’ wristlet watches, five gold bangles, nine gold rings, and four necklets which were found in his possession on October 3 were part of the stolen property. McMahon said the offence was unpremeditated. The theft from Parkinson’s was committed ,six weeks later, when the owner was out of the shop.