A "Cat Burglar" at Hastings.

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 188, 1 April 1932, Page 4

A "Cat Burglar" at Hastings.

Hastings last week had a new and exciting topic of conversation, the activities of a "cat burglar," and he certainly was active, for in one night i eight residences were entered. The thefts committed did not, however, represent any great value, the total being put down at £40 in money, and an assortment of jewellery, watches, and trinkets. The thief was surprised in one house early in the evening, hut got away after a short and exciting chase. He then, apparently, moved to another part of the town and went through a block of five adjoining houses. Two more homes in another locality were entered, hut the man was surprised when busy in the third house of this series, hut got away again. The burglar plainly had more than the ordinary amount of audacity and cunning, as some of the money and articles stolen were actually taken from heside sleeping inmate§ of the houses. In another house he visited three hedrooms and stole money and other articles from each, without disturbing the sleep of the occupants. In some cases the intruder entered the room and toolc coats and garments, which he searehed for poclcet-books and money and then left them lying on the floor. In the shed of one house, which had previously heen entered, cash and money boxes which had been forcibly opened were found. In every instance entry was made through a side or baek door that was not securely locked.