A ROBBERY

Hokitika Guardian, 26 September 1933, Page 5

A ROBBERY

OF DIAMOND RINGS ALLEGED OFFENDER ARRESTED, . 4 f S’, ...' > ■' GPvEYMQUTH, September 26. Two-daring-,attempts'-were made : to rob two; Greyinouth jewellers yesterday

afternoon by. a . man: Who has been a, resident of ; this' districiyj'or some time, arid who is believed to ,'b.d unemployed. He -was <s ucceSs ful jn • stealing tvv a rings, valued ,a : L.,£.42,;i but they 'did nob remain' long in di'iy possession, for ha-'f an hour after the firbt theft lie was arrested and placed’ in' custody. The first shop. to be entered w- s that of .IM;- J. Tennent, in Mawhera, Quay, at .about 4.45’ pirn.,.. where the lira,u asked to -see" sortie' engagement rings. 'After being; shown a tray full the riian, by a -clever dodge distracted the attention.of Mr Tenrient and removed a, ring valued -;.at £ls from the tray. He then piched out a. ring, a n d leaving the -shop stated that he would bring his fiance back to ’ see' the one he had picked. After- -he had gone, however, Mr Tennent noticed that a. ring was missing, and communicated with the police!- :

In the -meantime the man went to Gilbert Bros., in Tainui Street, and again asked to see some rings. Mr J. Crooks, the .ffianager, was-' absent from the -shop at ‘the time, tmd the -lady .assistant (MmAvN. Burns) brought a tray of rings. Here also the man, employed a clever .‘ move ,to effect his getaway Avit.li" the ring,- it being valued at £27. He ostensibly twent to the door to call his fiancee in while another 'customer was in -the shop. Miss •Burns, however," missed - • the ring iinnwdialtely, and 'together - with Mr Crooks, who Bad by this tinie returned to the shop, she-.attempted to follow -the man.. ~ ; 1

Eventually *be was • -‘located in the bar of the Brian Bom Hole!'' When accused by' Miss Burns of -the theft of the ring he denied all knowledge of it, but' Mr, Terine-rit also identified him, and he was/detained"' fihtil arrested at 5.15 p.ivn. by:,,Plairi.iGlothes Constable Hay, who -saw Aiini drop one of the’rings op to the floor- .the - other being located hidden behind a 'barrel of beer. . He was placed in custody and will appear at the Magistrate’s. Court this morning. y • ■ . V “ • " The ru s e used by the thief to distract 'the attention of Mr. Tennent is lone, frequently ' employed" iby jewel thieyes. jL While ; lpokihg" at-( the ona tray .of rings. TBe man 79 said that ’he would 'like one with a ruby in .it, and pointed opt,, one sevefal' shelves flaya-y, and iii the' moment-• that* Mr Tennent look to reach ever and secure it, tb» man swept one., off . the t-ray, -evident' y concealing it /w}-;his difridAuitii he w’s out of the shop. •