BURGLARY AT SHANNON.

Shannon News, 22 November 1929, Page 3

BURGLARY AT SHANNON.

DAIRY COMPANY’S STORE BROKEN INTO. LARGE QUANTITY OF GOODS REMOVED. Quite a sensation was caused in Shannon on Wednesday morning when it became known that the Shannon Coop. Dairy Co. ’s store had been broken into during the night and that a large quantity of goods had been removed and the place thoroughly ransacked. The discovery was made at 7 o ’clock in the morning, when the office window was found to be wide open, while the front door was also ajar. Further investigation showed that the building had ibeen entered and that the intruders had gained an entrance by forcing the office window with a jemmy. Footmarks were discernible on the table top under the window. Papers were scattered about in this room and-cabinets had been opened, but nothing removed. The big double safes in the next room had proved too tough an obstacle for the burglars. The store had been systematically ransacked, and it was evident the intruders had spent some time there. Practically every nook and corner had been explored. On all sides goods lay scattered about on the shelves, while shoes and clothing lay jumbled up on the floor. Chocolates, chocolate papers and matches were strewn about in every direction and it is a wonder the store was not destroyed' by Are, as Lighted matches had been tossed on to heaps of sox, shirts, paper and other inflammable material, in some capes burning holes in the material. Live matches were discovered about the shelves, a packet evidently having been broached for the purpose of providing light. In the grocery department dozens of packets of cigarettes, cigars, matches and a lOlb. box of chocolates -were missing; besides two clocks, but it is very likely n quantity of groceries were removed, as flhesc would not be. noticed unless there was any appreciable drop in stocks. The drapery department appears to have suffered most; the burglars having taken away three suit eases, three., travelling rugs, several suits, hats, collars, ties, several pairs of boots, and canvas shoes, three dozen boys’ assorted jerseys, eight or nine pairs ladies’ silk bloomers and other silk underwear, several frocks, ladies ’ mackintoshes, garters, handbags, shirts, silk pyjamas, towels, stationery, scent, scented soap, books and boys’ suits. In conversation with Mr Cronquest, secretary of the Shannon Dairy Co., and manager of• the store, he informed our representative that lie estimates the loss to the company at £IOO, although a proper estimate eould not be arrived at without stocktaking, die thinks that the burglary must have taken place between the hours of 10 p.m. on Tuesday and 4 a.m. cn Wednesday, as the store was securely locked up as five o’clock on Tuesday evening, and the fact that some of the factory employees slept in wharcs at the rear of the factory and would bo about until about 10 p.m., work commencing at the factory at 4 a.m.

Outside the store and for a short distance down the road chocolate covers were to be seen lying on the roadway. It is pretty certain that the burglars had a car to assist them, as it would be almost impossible, even for two men, to remove such a quantity of goods' without. The intruders evidently took advantage of Constable Blaikic.’s absence from the town, he being away on his annual leave. Constable Bell, of Foxton, is in the meantime visiting the town about twice a week. The latter was immediately notified at Foxton and at once set to work, with detectives from Palmerston, to make investigations.

A few days ago an attempt was made to gain entrance to W. H. Gunning and Co.’s store, when one of the front windows was smashed. Evidently the culprits were disturbed and made good their escape. FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS. From information received regarding the burglary at the Shannon Dairy Company, the secretary of the company, Mr C. M. Cronquest, paid a visit to Tokomaru and at the top of the road on the other side of the township, he found an old Ford car. evidently abandoned. In the ear was part of a box of chocolates that has been identified as being part of the stolen goods. It is i understood that the car is identical with one reported missing from Palmerston on Tuesday evening at 8 o’clock. An account of the burglary will be found on page 7 of this issue. TWO ARRESTS MADE. As a result of the (enquiries made in the case, Detective Quirk arrested two young men, who are to appear at the Police Court to-day on charges of theft. It is understood that most of the stolen property has befen recovered.