JEWELLERS ROBBED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20915, 15 October 1942, Page 5

JEWELLERS ROBBED

EX-SOLDIER’S THEFTS SMASH-AND-GRAB RAID (P.A.) WHANGAREI, this day. Admitting the theft from Fisher and Son of jewellery valued at £557 Thomas Edward McMahon, aged 43 years, at the Auckland Police Court to-day was remanded for sentence at the Auckland Supreme Court. McMahon pleaded guilty to smashing the window of a local jeweller’s shop and stealing 12 rings, 15 watches, seven gold lockets, 12 silver neck chains, six diamante necklets, two golden -crucifixes of a total value of £233. From another jeweller, Mr. James Parkinson, he stole a display pad containing 23 diamond rings valued at £293. In a voluntary statement to Detective Cromwell, McMahon said he was an unemployed electrician who had been discharged from the military forces in the middle of September. Towards the end of May he was transferred to Whangarei. When returning to camp late at night after drinking, I he saw the jewellery in a shop window. The temptation was too great. He procured a large stone wrapped in sacking and broke the plate-glass window, grabbed the jewellery and took it, to camp where lie stowed it in his kitbag. Obtaining leave shortly afterwards, he visited Auckland,'Where he planted it. He broke up some 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 were found in his possession in October. These were part of the stolen property. McMahon said the offence was unpremeditated. The theft from Parkinson’s shop was committed six weeks later as the owner was out of the shop. McMahon removed the pad o£ rings and again liquor was the cause of the act.