THEFTS OF MATERIAL

Hokitika Guardian, 5 July 1920, Page 4

THEFTS OF MATERIAL

INTER-STATE GANG OF THIEVES AT WORK. SYDNEY, Juno 23. The gang of inter-State thieves vvhich devoted a lot of attention 1o Melbourne warehouses in jmst months—carrying off valuable materials like silks, leather, fine cotton goods ,and disposing of them in other States—has apparently transferred its affections to Sydney. Police headquarters in Sydney believe that the recent raids on mercers’ and tailors’ shops in the city are the work of an organised gang, and that tile goods are being sent to other parts of Australia. Within the present month, the following big stores are warehouses have been robbed :—Sweet Brothers, Yewtown, liiew'ery worth £l/500; Boil Marche Stores, George street, cotton goods worth L‘1000; Supply Stores, I‘bt street, furs and cloths worth £000; lioslic Baklias, King street-, dfaiv.y worth £200; T. and C. Riley, Cascl.--reagli street, drapery worth £133; Thomas Perry, Parramatta, tweeds ,■ nd suits worth £400; Rubcnstein, Hunter street, tweeds worth £1000.; Robert Blackwell, George Street, suits worth £6OO (£2OO worth afterwards found abandoned in a near-by churahyard) ; Seliroeder, Regent street, cigars worth £00; and a whole host of smaller robberies.

Where the many thousands of pounds’ worth of stolen property goes to is a mystery. The police say there are big receivers operating in the city, and the sitnlf is disposed of in Melbourne and Brisbane, asul stolen goods are sent across here, in exchange, for disposal.

It is reported that business people are becoming very nervous. In very many instances, a few neighbouring shopkeepers are combining to employ an armed watchman to constantly watch their premises at night. It seems the only thing to do. The police declare that there is so marked a crime wave just now that they cannot guard the city adequately against thieves during dark hours.