THIEF BUSY

Hokitika Guardian, 30 August 1932, Page 6

THIEF BUSY

BREAKING POSTAL BOXES

(Per Press Association— Copyright.)

CHRISTCHURCH, August 30

Eight postal boxes at points all round the city were rifled by tnieves last night; It is not known as yet wnat was the extent of the thefts, but it is expected that it will not prove particularly extensive as little of value is Jent through postal boxes. The postal authorities wou.d not state this morning where the boxes were situated, but indicated that they were in no particular district. The indications are that it he thieves were equipped with , a motor-car or motor-cycle and mad e a rapid raid on the box'es shortly before they were due to be cleared. A jemmy was used to force . the door-, iir.sevenal oases the doors being splintered and ,the locks smashed. The boxes were brought to tho’stores of the P. and T. Department this morning for repair.'

Of late there have been several outbreaks of thefts from telephone slot machines, but police ivction ha*- put a check to this form of thieving. This i« the first attempt that has been made by' thieves for a considerable period to obtain money by raiding correspondence in postal boxes. > Since Sunday a- thief .has rifled thirteen postal, boxes' at various points in the city. The evidence, would, indicate that .his 'haul on iSundav, if lie had any, was a very small one, yet again last night he attacked a number of boxes smashing the doors and forcing the locks. An indication of the daring of the thief was the fact that, two of the boxes forced, were within a radius of. a few hundred yards of the central police station. It is not yet known how much, of value was secured.