Safe-Blowers Again

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 401, 9 July 1928, Page 1

Safe-Blowers Again

WEEK-END ROBBERIES Thieves Active in Taumarunui (From Our Own Correspondent) TAUMARUNUI, To-day. BURGLARS made them Wives “heard” at Taumarunui during the week-end, when they dynamited three safes. Their total haul was only £25.

When the business men of Taumarunui came to work this morning they found that three burglaries had been committed during the week-end. The robbers had dynamited the safe in the office of the Taumarunui Hardware Company, taking about £ls in cash, and a few cheques; a safe in the office of Ross and Hartnett, joinery factory, taking £5 in cash and £4 in cheques, and also the Farmers’ Auctioneering Company’s strongroom. At the latter place they blew the strongroom door open, but were apparently disturbed, arid left the safe untouched, but took £ 1 from a drawer. Several residents say they heard dull reports between two and three o’clock on Sunday morning, when presumbaly the hardware and joinery offices were attacked. The burglars apparently were dissatisfied with their hauls from these places, and last night daringly attacked the Auctioneering Company’s strongroom. It could not have been very late, however, as many people nearby heard the detonation, and the

consequent disturbance frightened the burglars, who decamped almost empty harided. The hardware and joinery safes were badly damaged by the explosion, and damage was also done to the walls of the offices. BREAK IN AUCKLAND INTRUDERS FRUSTRATED AMBURY’S PREMISES ENTERED The safe in the office of Amburys, Ltd., milk suppliers, in Hereford Street, just off Karangahape Road, was blown open some time during the week-end. Nothing was taken. The force of the explosion had jammed the door of the smaller safe inside the large one and the intruders were not able to open it. Mr. W. O. Lane, general manager of Amburys, Ltd., said this morning that when the safe was blown open about two years ago the smaller safe, containing money, had jammed in exactly the same way as on this occasion. Entrance to the building had been gained by breaking a window looking out on to the area of the water reservoir at the back of Ambury’s premises. By inserting a hand the intruders had been able to unfasten a lock and open the window. The front door of the large built-in safe had been completely wrenched off. Evidently putty or some soft material had been used to pack the explosive, as it was spattered over the door When entrance had been gained to the main safe all that was found was books and the company’s documents. Any cash which might have been in the smaller safe could not be touched. A caretaker who lives at the back of the premises did not hear any strange noises during the night. The side street on which the premises are situated would not be used very much during the week-end.