BURGLARS BUSY

Hokitika Guardian, 16 July 1930, Page 6

BURGLARS BUSY

DARING THEFT OF FANCY GOODS

AUCKLAND, July 14.

Thieves were busy during the weekend in various parts of the city and suburbs, although they got very little for their trouble.

The large premises of Wright, Stephenson, Ltd., at 151 Beach Road, were entered by someone who used a jemmy on the large front door. After gaining entrance, the intruder walked up the long flight of stairs and made an inspection of the office in. search of cash.. He made no attempt on the strong-room or the safe, contenting himself with prising open a number of desk drawers. From one drawer he stole a tfew shillings, and he left the premises by the front door.

When the assistant clerk of the Mount Roskill Road Board (Mr Gardiner) arrived at the office this morning, ho discovered that a thief had been inside during the week-end. An attempt had been made to force the window with a jemmy, judging by the marks on the sash. Not being able to open the window, the operator resorted to the .simple task of smashing the pane of glass right out and crawling through. There was no cash in the office.

Apparently 'an attempt was made to force an entry into the cellars and warehouse of C. H. Drysdaio and Co., wine and spirit merchants, Little Queen Street. The cellar entrance in Albert Street is, protected by a framework of strong,steel,.wire. . This morning several of the strands of wire were found to have been broken. Perhaps the thief was disturbed while at work, for this particular locality is rather open and well lighted, .and is a busy nart of the city.. About three years ago thieves carried out, a most successful robbery from Drysdale’s. A DARING ROBBERY. A more audacious “job” was carried out on Saturday night, when a burglar broke'into the fancy goods shop of Mr George Thompson, at 230 JerVous Road, Herne Bay, and stole a quantity of goods, comprising mostly •igarettes and tobacco. The shop is in the middle of a, block of buildings, ""ie thief entered by going to the rear and smashing a glass.panel out of the door, which enabjod him to turn the lock.and let hinisplf..in. Air Thompson, who lives above the, shop/ went . out early on Saturday ..evening, and on returning at about eleven, o’clo.ck discovered that a thief had been at work. He immediaely .communicated with the police, and shortly afterwards a number of detectives were on the job. They could not find'any trace of the burglar, who bail evidently left some time before Air Thompson returned. Air and Mrs Slianley, who conduct a soft drinks and confectionery shop adjoining that of Asr Thompson and who . live above their^hop.,-.->told . a correspondent of. the.. “Times?’, this, morning that a, man has beep pbserved hanging about the block of buildings recently V- Slianley added that the thief wlm entered Air Thompson's -shop was- darntr, for the lights from his shop shone out at the hack, andr vealed the thief as: he..was gaining: cn-b trance. “AVe did .not'Jiear..'or ..see. any- b thing, being busy in our own shop,”. ‘ he said; “hut a week ago last Saturday someone was prowling about the back of our premises.” WATCH-DOG DISTURBED. Air Slianley said lie kept a large Airedale dog which, although kindly and well-behaved to customers, was not so placid when on guard at the rear of the shop at night. “On Satur* day week,.”- said- Air Slianley, “the dog was I !t in abdibd at the back. Shortly after mijaviigj.it my wife and' I were awakened • by 'the dog’s frantic barking.; We ah') heard a man crying out and lentTingi away. AVI hit 1 think happened wps that he had opened tlio door of the. shed and released.ilie clog; who frightened him and chased him away. Hac] the dog been outside on Saturday night he might have frightened the latest .intruder. It'was such a miserable night that I took pity on the dog and allowed him to sleep inside.” .