BURGLAR'S LEAP FOR LIBERTY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 290, 2 December 1908, Page 4

BURGLAR'S LEAP FOR LIBERTY

,si"lti'RlSED AT WORK BY RE TURNING HOUSEHOLDER. A XLGIIT STRUGGLE. An exciting struggle with two burglars took place at a limisi! in «taa-lev-gardeiis. llainpstead, Loudon, recently. The men were disturbed while rifling the home of Mr. A. -Vicoli, and, alteshowing light, leaped through the upper windows and escaped with jewelbn worth £3OO.

Both men were injured iu lb.' 'all, but got away with tli'eir booty before help could be called. The thieves were both well dressed and gentlemanly in appearance, and in their Might they left behind a gold--mounted cr ookcii walking-stick and a silk umbrella.

The police obtained a full description of the two men. The. house in Stanley-gardens is a largo three-storeyed residence approached by stone steps with iron railings ill Iroat. The trees and shrubberies of the gardens prevent the house being observed bv the residents opposite. The thieves entered the house unobserved while the residents Mere away. The occupants returned suddenly, however, and found the men engaged rilling the house and packing up jewellery and valuablei.

Oac was » dark, ihii-fc-sot young man, with a dark moustache, aliout twentythree, and his companion was a cleanshaven youtli about a year younger. When thev saw tlic.v wore nli.frvr.l they closed with .Mr. Nicoli, who rustled forward to capture them. The old'", and more determined man struck at liim with his fist, and liotli darted upstairs. They ran to Che window? of a room on the second floor, threw it open, and attempted to slide down the waterpipe i'iiii;iiiiir from the I'oof. The lir-t man niUscd his hold and fell to the "round, twenty-live feet below, and in falling injured* his head. The oilier dropped when some distance from the ground and nils badly shaken. They were seen io staler away ami disappear, and the police, in >|iilc of the hue and cry which was raised, have been unable lo trace tlicm. i

The stolen properly included diamond and pearl rings. <."> M bangles! and brace lets, a curious Indian ring, and a jubilee half-guinea.