GANG OF BURGLARS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 June 1924, Page 3

GANG OF BURGLARS.

MANY liomu.|{lMS IN (TIIIISTCIUIUTI. (TIIUSTC'IintCII. dune I I. Detectives tire pursuing investigation.s in eonneetion with recent motor tlielts ami bur/laries in the eitv. Several very impudent nml dating roll, heries have lieen perpetrated during tlie Inst two or three weeks, and there is reason to believe that a gang of expert cracksmen is operatin';. It is a significant inti that on every recent oeetisiou on which burglaries have lieen reported, a motor-car has also keen stolen. This points to the fact that the oms are used not merely for a country in lint hut for tlie purpose of carrying loot. In variably tlie stolen motors are found deserted and dirty in some by-street or lane, showing sign-, of bavins been driven innnv miles. The thefts continue and the puli.-.- almost daily receive imtilioMtion of the mystenous disappearanee of ears left temporarily unattended in the eitv. On the evenin'/ of Sunday. May 27

last, three ears were reported missing. The following morning il was found that seven suburban telephone boxes bail been rilled. Two garages had been entered and a large quanlily of petrol considerably mole than could lie accommodated in one car. Imd been stolen. All three <ars were snb.soquolil!v found in close proximity to one another. in suburban -ireets. The octroi was noi recovered. In one of the ears was found a piece of seal broken from a telephone -lot, establishing bemud doubt that the ear had been

engaged in a nelarious purpose. Five days later, at about 2 o'clock on the morning of May III), a policeman on boat in Cashel Street louiul the front door of Messrs Field and Royals' office aiar. His curiosity aroused, he peered inside, hut found nothing amiss. Next morning it was reported to headquarters that £2OO in cash had been stolen from the office. 'I lie same night a motor-car was reported'missing. On the evening of June 1, thieves entered the cellar of Messrs Quill Morris and Company, wine merchants, and decamped with .several eases of choice wines an.l li.|Uors. On that evening, too. a ear was reported missing. Tn this ease the ear had been stolen from the front of the Supreme Court odices. Il was subsequently recovered. hut nothing has since been heard of the wine-- that made a disappearance. One thing 0 certain, that the quantity Inlen could not have been carried awav without the aid of a conveyance.