THE AUCKLAND CRACKSMEN

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 279, 22 May 1912, Page 2

THE AUCKLAND CRACKSMEN

WHAT THEY ARE STEALING AND WHY. Auckland, Tuesday. From inquiries made by a Herald representative it seems that Auckland ia being favored with the attentions of •ome highly skilled cracksmen, who have mapped, out an ambitious programme. On Thursday night the building of Messrs. Crawford and llould, sewing machine dealers, at the corner of "Wellesley and Albert streets, was entered, and a small electrical engraving machine was stolen. The entry was gained by a window at the rear of the premises, and, although there were other articles of value in the shop, the machine, which is only worth about £2 10s, was the only article stolen. The thief, or thieves, even overlooked 2s in an open till.

Asked as- to why this comparatively valueless machine should have been the only article removed. Mr. Crawford, one of the partners of the firm, advanced a rather startling theory. He said that the little machine was the only one of its kind in Auckland, and it was lying on a bench in front of the window, where it could be seen by anyone passing.' Though the Tuaclimc stolen could only be used for engraving, a larger model would make a very deadly drill, and Mr. Crawford said tliat he' thought that, seeing the machine through the window, the thief had conceived the idea of stealing it for the purpose of constructing a larger model to u-e as a drill to open a safe. i Ho 'added that he had heard from an authoritative source that other places in the city had also been broken into, and electrical fittings of very small intrinsic value had been stolen.' He mentioned. that, in one case, a building was entered, and an electric fan was taken carefully to pieces in order that the thieves might obtain part of it, possibly for future use in the construction of a machine which, if they tried to purchase, •would entail awkward questions. A machine of the type stolen would be very difficult to dispose of. as the pawnbrokers would give nothing for it, and, if the intruders were seeking to enrich themselves, a valuable camera on the bHOB in the shop could have been taken and easily disposed of. Should there be anvthing in Mr. Crawford's theory, it would appear as though the burglar gang were making highly expert preparations for an extensive baul.