TILLS RIFLED

Hokitika Guardian, 20 June 1933, Page 8

TILLS RIFLED

SHOPS ENTERED’ IN AUCKLAND. : . f, [ t AUCKLAND, June 17. For some weeks past one particular .form of theft, the robbing of shop tilsl in'daylight hours during the temporary absence j of. the proprietor, hag been prevalent in the Newton and Three jLampss areas. The occupiers of, a number of small shops in different, .parts, have lost .gulps of money .ranging .from a.'few shillings to over ono 1 pound. It is believed that the thieves have been boys or youths probably out of em. ployment. Shops have been -robbed .a,t different hours of the day, several having been visited at busy shopping time.> when there were many people in the > vicinity., At 2.30 o’clock yesterday afternoon, .a. bakery and cake-shop w»i« visited. All kinds of businesses nave attracted the attention of, the thieves, including dairies, booksellers aind tobacconists’ premises. In isolated instances when tobacconists have b’-en robbed, s ma'l quantities of cigarettes have ;beqn missed from the shelves. , Apparently the shops have been well watched before being entered, ns or, ly those with small counters giving easy access to the till h've been selocted. Those .with angle-counters and w'de showcases have not suffered. The thieves apparently wear soft-soled shoes, as .in fho case, where the proprietors were just : ns.ide' their rooms at the hack of the shop they have heard no sound. The have been careful to muffle the...small bell which rings when most tills are opened. As a. result of the thefts, many shmkeepers now keep very little money in thei,v tills. ; . ..