£500 THEFT ON SHIP

Hokitika Guardian, 26 January 1932, Page 3

£SOO THEFT ON SHIP

U.S.A. WOMAN’S LOSS. AUCKLAND, January 23. A daring theft, involving approximately ftoO'f in money an ( | jewellery, was reported by an American woman passenger, .Mrs L. U. Strait, on the wliicli reached Auckland to-day from Sydney. Tig. goods comprise a diamond brooch and ring, a cheep e for 100 dollars. 020 in Australian notes, steamer tickets and passport. Detectives hoarded the ship a ini questioned Mrs Strait for two hours, while customs men rigidly scrutinised all luggage. 'Hie time of the theft was not established, but tin* police and the ship",-, officers believe that it occurred within a. few minutes of the ship’s leaving the Sydney wharf. Mrs Strait says that she had the money and jewellery in a handbag, which she put under her pillow while fa rowel ling friends in the cabin. When the gong sounded for non-passengers to leave she walked along the deck with her husband, and returned within five minutes for the bag which was gone. Theory is that the thief disposed wharf before leaving the ship himof the hag to a confederate on the self. “He must have been a pretty slick expert,’’ said Mrs Si rail. The jeweJlorv is insured for C3(io.