DARING BURGLARIES

Hokitika Guardian, 20 November 1929, Page 3

DARING BURGLARIES

GANG OF SAFE-BLOWERS. By Telegraph, Per Press Association.j CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 19. A gang of safe-blowers were active in the city over the week-end. Two attempts, only onb of which was successful, have been reported to the police. This makes the total of these safe-blowing crimes tip to five'. Evidently all are the work of the same gang of experts. (in Thursday night the safe of Air G. Dollan, coal merchant, Madras St. was opened with explosives, but a siinilar attempt on the safe of Mr W. Williamson, builder of Montreal St., was unsuccessful, the charge failing to explode. The only reward of the thieves was £2 10s from Mr Dollan’s safe. A very heavy charge had heen used on this sale, practically shattering the safe door, and damaging the office walls. After their unsuccessful attempt at ...r Williamson’s safe, tiie thieves chalked on tiie safe. “Danger, gelignite.” A daring robbery occurred on Saturday night at the premises of Messrs T. E. and R. C. McArthur, pastrycooks, Sydenham. The cash register was rifled, and £24 was stolen. The robbery" occurred about 10.30 p.m. when the streets were not yet emptied of people. The girl in charge of the shop had retired to the rear room temporarily. She heard the cash register ring, and went to investigate. She called Frank Matthews, and both rushed out. They saw a. man disappearing through the front door, and gave chase, but lie eluded capture. Twopence bad been rung up, and the thieves, opening 'the register by this simple means, grabbed all the notes in sight.