AMAZING ROBBERY

Marlborough Express, Volume LXVIII, Issue 149, 26 June 1934, Page 2

AMAZING ROBBERY

THIEVES IN CATHEDRAL. JEWELS TAKEN FROM DOORS. MELBOURNE, June . 14. An amazing robbery occurred at St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Cathedral on Monday night. The thieves used a big golden crucifix to lever amethysts, rubies, emeralds and other less expensive jewels from the double doors on the tabernacles on the three main altars. In addition. they stole some gold plate and three valuable crucifixes, Brought out from England in 1897, the artistic tabernacle doors were greatly treasured by the Church, and the damage to them is estimated at. £1000, although the loot taken by the thieves may not bring them a quarter of that amount. The Church is gratified, however, that tbere was no desecration of tne Holy Sacrament. The robbery occurred when the cathedral was securely locked, and it was not until the church was opened early on Tuesday morning that the damage was discovered. The thieves ciimbed a slender drain-pipe from the footpath 011 one side of the cathedral, and so reached a small leadlight window. They smashed this, -and dropped eight feet to the tiled floor. In the centre is the High Altar, and on the right and. left two other altars. Seizing two' sanctuary lamps from their gold stands, the thieves lighted their way to the tabernacle doors. They spilt a considerable quantity of oil over the altars while they were working. The jewel doors were really false doors, leading to steel-walled tabernacles. Apparently the thieves had no tools with which to do theii* work, so they used a beautiful golden crucifix to lever the jewelled facing from the doors, which were wrecked and pulled from their hinges. Piece by piece, the handsome facings were wrenched off. The police have failed in their endeavour to- trace the thieves. The most striking feature of the crime is the receipt by the archbishop of letters expressing the indignation of men who are professional lawbreakers. They deplore the robbery and the sacrilege. Apparently professional pride is also involved, for the communications that have been received by the Church authorities point out that, apart from the paltry nature of the "job," the vandalism attached to the act stamps it as "the work of amateurs." Early this year thieves broke into St. Mary's Basilica, Sydney, and stole portion of the tabernacle. Police surrounded the building and two men were caught. They have since been sent to gaol for long terms.