BURGLARS FAIL

Hokitika Guardian, 30 September 1932, Page 2

BURGLARS FAIL

AN AUDACIOUS ATTEMPT. CHRISTCHURCH, September 28. For the third time since he has been in business in the premises, the shop of Mr D. F. Glanville, chemist, Holmwo dßoad, Fendalton, has been visited by burglars. ..When Mr Glanville arrived at his shop this morning he found the glass panel <m the door broken, and scratches en other portions of the glass indicated that an attempt had first been made to cut through with a glass-cutter. t 'Hie attempt was very audacious. The recessed doorway was protected by a heavy iron grille, whbli was locked. The brrglais made, no attempt to interfere with the lock of this grille, but climbed the gate and then apparently set to work with the doorwry, m fall view of the road. Next they attempted to out*, through the glass beside the lock.- Four fairly long scratches remain, as evidence of their efforts in this direction.

The glass of the panel, however, is thick, and it must have become quickly evident that attempts to cut through it would be futile. Apparently the thieves then climbed back over the gate to the roadway, and having armed themselves with a stone, smashed the panel near the top. A fairly considerable hole was made, and it was easy, by inserting an arm through ’this hole to reach the knob of the lock inside.

Previous experience, however, had taught Mr Granville to guard .agnins'b burglars, The lock was not of the simple type, and it could not be turn ed from the inside unloss i'fc had first been unlocked. It would have been possible to obtain an entrance by'removing the shattered pane, hut evidently the thieves feared they' noise that might bo ocasioned by this operation. Finding that the lock could not be turned, they appear to have given up the attempt. ; • This shop was. twice entered by burglars last year, the offences being committed within a fortnight of each other. The last occasion was in April, 1931.