STOLEN GOODS PAWNED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 807, 30 October 1929, Page 11

STOLEN GOODS PAWNED

THIEVES AND THEIR METHODS “BUSINESS MAN” REPLIES In yesterday's Sun a city pawnbroker replied to the allegations of a business man respecting the supposed tendency of thieves -to dispose of their ill-gotten goods at pawnbrokers’ establishments. Today the business man replies to the challenge of the pawnbroker to donate £5 to the City Mission if his statements are disproved. “It Js regrettable if the upkeep of Jasper Calder’s Mission is dependent upon the expedience of similar challenges to this,” he says. “Since the pawnbroker recognises the good work done by the City Mission, I trust he ha,s also made recognition of his appreciation. X have already donated £5 to the mission, and trust that Mr. Pawnbroker has done likewise. “Regarding the boots which were stolen from a shop in Newmarket, valued at 655, and sold to a pawnbroker for 22s 6d, I still contend that this thief would have escaped but for the accident of a detective being in the immediate vicinity when the goods were pawned. “It was merely a coincidence that the detective Impelled to be on the spot. The transaction had already been made, and the 22s 6d had already changed hands before the appearance of the detective.

“The thief, from the evidence in court, had 63 convictions to his discredit, so he was a professional at the game, and he made a direct line for the most likely avenue of disposal for his good. Experience had taught him to go straight to the pawnbroker.”