ROBBERY OF GOLD.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 November 1921, Page 5

ROBBERY OF GOLD.

THE SONOMA SENSATION. POLICE STILL BAFFLED. By Tele.'rraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright. Received Nov. 27, 11.5 p.m. " San Francisco, Nov. 26. Pinkerton detectives are now assisting the police in the investigation regarding the Sonoma gold robbery. Detective Matheson, who is in charge of the men on the case, now thinks the robbery was com- | mitted shortly before arrival at San Francisco, perhaps by some gang which had been conducting boot-legging operations. Almost every trip quantities of liquor were seized on board the Sonoma, and last trip the value of seizures amounted to a fortune. This time no liquor was found. The Pinkerton men believe an international and well-organised band of criminals did the work. Every particle of the ship’s cargo is being examined as it is removed fropi the ship. The police and the Pinkerton men are continually grilling members of the crew, who are not permitted to remain on board the vessel. Mr. Samuels (manager of the company) is positive that the specie could not have been taken off the ship at Sydney. Captain Trask is equally sure, pointing out that the gold was brought on board only twenty-five minutes before the vessel sailed by bank messengers under a heavy guard, which remained until the ship sailed. Captain Trask said: “As only two stops were made —one at Pago Pago, where solely naval officers disembarked, and one at Honolulu, where to, my best belief it is impossible to take off a shipment—it leaves only San- Francsico. All I can say is that it was one of the cleverest pieces of work I have ever heard of.”

Detective Matheson declared that a further investigation showed that the specie tanks were opened with duplicate keys in regard to two locks, while the third lock was apparently battered off and a replica substituted. Pinkerton’s men and the local police are attempting to locate where the duplicate keys and lock were made. Another discovery made to-day was that a portion of the Sonoma’s hold No. 2, which adjoins the holds which contained the specie, had been moved while the ship was at sea. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.