Greymouth Burglaries

Hokitika Guardian, 6 February 1922, Page 4

Greymouth Burglaries

— ~ 3 STORES BROKEN INTO. CULPRITS STILL UNCAPTURED. (Grey Argus.) For quite a while past, a certain firm in town has been troubled over a series of burglaries which have been committed, in every instance the offence befing dlireoted at 'their ‘pap-, ticular premises. On tlio first occasion five octaves of port wine were removed, the burglar evidently possessing a, duplicate key, for no results of violence could be discovered. Each octave holds 18 gallons of liquor; the Hurglars thus secured 90 gallons of port wine in one haul. The second robbery was committed several days later when a liquor store in Mackay Street was broken into and a considerable quantity of whisky, wine, and brandy stolen, the goods being removed through a window, which the intruders broke. The third burglary occurred in the same store. This time the miscreants effected an entrance by removing a sheet of iron from the side of the building. Once inside, the doors were opened to allow free removal of the goods. Two shelves 20ft. ; long nnd packed with bottles of spirits —were cleared of all their contents. The total value of the goods stolen amounts to considerably over £IOO. Evidence at the scene of the robberies indicates that the burglars effect their coups on systematic lines, andj must have used a vehicle of some kind' to remove the stolen goods, The matter was placed in the hands of the local police immediately on discovery, but so far no .successful result has attended the search for the culprits.

It is well for the public to realise thaf; witli individuals, such as the perpetrators of these robberies, at largo, no premises are entirely safe unless extra precautions are taken againsf intrusion. Each burglary, mentioned was perpetrated at night. If the offenders are caught, there will be a Rouble charge in each ease—one of burglary and one of breaking and entering. Several suspicions are entertained by |oca] law authorities and it is looped that the offenders will shortly be brought to answer for their offenpe.