SMASH AND GRAB

Marlborough Express, Volume LXXVI, Issue 244, 16 October 1942, Page 4

SMASH AND GRAB

£557 JKWEL THEFT. Admitting the theft from Fisher and Son of jewellery valued at £557, Thomas Edward McMahon, aged 43, of Auckland, was remanded for sentence at the Auckland 3upreme Court. McMahon pleaded guiity to smashing a window of a local jeweller and stealing 12 rings, 15 watches, seven gold lockets, 12 silver neck-chains, six diamanti necklets, and two golden crucifixes of a total value of £233. From another jeweller, James Parkinson, he stole a display pad containing 23 diamond rings, valued at £293. In a voluntary statement to Detective Cromwell, McMahon said that he was an unemployed electrician discharged from the military forces in mid-September Towards the end of May he was transferred to Whangarei. Returning to camp late at night after drinking he saw a jewellery shop window and the temptation was too great. He procured a large stone, wrapped it in sacking, broke the plate-glass window, grabbed the jewellery and took it to camp where he stowed it in his kitbag. Obtaining leave shortly afterwards he visited Auckland, where he "planted" it, broke up some of the rings, and disposed of the loose diamonds and other articles to Auckland jewellers and pawnbrokers. Six ladies' wristlet watches, five gold bangles, nine gold rings, and four necklets found in his possession on October 3 were part of the stolen property. McMahon said that the offence was unpremeditated. The theft from Parkinson's was committed six weeks later. As the owner was out of the shop McMahon removed a pad of rings. Again liquor was the cause of the act.