Bag-Snatchers

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 458, 13 September 1928, Page 13

Bag-Snatchers

WELL-PLANNED ATTEMPT GOES AMISS

DOG’S-MEAT INSTEAD OF CASH

A deliberate and well planned attempt at bag- snatching, which fortunately proved unsuccessful, has been reported to THE SUN. The incident, however, is of some importance, indicating as it does the existence of people prepared to go to some lengths to perpetrate this form of crime.

The intended victim was Mr. G. Phillips, proprietor of the Trocadero Restaurant, who, following his usual custom, closed his shop at about halfpafct seven, and, taking with him his day’s takings, proceded homeward by a Herne Bay. tramcar.

He left the car at Ardmore Road, and had walked down that street for a little distance when someone ran up behind him and snatched a bag from his -hands. Simultaneously, a motor-car, proceeding along the centre of the road, came abreast of Mr. Phillips, and slowed down to enable the bag-snatcher to board it. The car, with Mr. Phillips’s bag aboard, then promptly made off.

Unfortunately for the bag-snatcher and hsi accomplices, it was the wrong bag. Mr. Phillips was carrying two bags, and wisely he allowed them to make off with the one containing a few oysters and some dog’s meat. The day’s takings are now in the bank. The attempt was obviously the work of men who had watched Mr. Phillips’s movements* and had selected him as a prospective and profitable victim. Dog’s meat was indeed an appropriate reward for their trouble.