SERIES OF BURGLARIES.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 223, 9 February 1928, Page 1

SERIES OF BURGLARIES.

AT ARAPUNI. Police Protection Wanted. The urgent need for the appointment of a police constable at Arapuni to succeed the late Constable Fleming has been brought home to residents by a series of burglaries which occurred last week-end, when several business premises were broken into. The’ first was that of Messrs. E. M. Findlayson’s shop in No. 2 camp, which was entered by the simple process of wrenching the padlock off the main door. Dry goods to the value of £8 7s 6d were taken, the thief by some freak overlooking the cash register, which contained £7. Cigarettes also, though in a prominent position, were untouched, the thief confining his attention to a variety of articles in dry goods lines. On Sunday night the bottom store by the dam site in No. 1 camp, also owned by Messrs. Findlayson, was forcibly entered in a similar manner, and on this occasion £3 12s was taken from a drawer in a desk, and also 15 sparking plugs. On Monday morning an ice cream shop on the opposite side of the river and near the dam site, belonging to Mr. D. Donnelly, was found with the door burst open. In this instance, however, nothing was taken. So far no ‘charge has been laid against anyone, but it is understood that the police have certain parties under observation. The occurrences have caused some consternation in Arapuni, and we understand that action is being taken with a view to securing the early appointment of a police constable, many residents being strongly of the opinion that the station should never have been closed down until the works were finished.