SERIES OF THEFTS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10227, 2 May 1911, Page 5

SERIES OF THEFTS.

FROM MASTERTON BUSINESS PLACES.

In addition to the theft from Mr . . W. .Wilkes 7 shop, which wxts reported iij yesterday's issue of the three -other shops were broken into between Saturday night and Sunday morning. These were not mentioned in Monday's issue of the Age, in order that the e{Sorts of the police to locate the •culprit might not he prejudiced. Messrs Beale and Parton's premises hod been, entered, and a number 1 of knives and razors stolen. An > - examination revealed the fact that the thief had entered the shop through a skylight, and; had lowered himself by means of some saddle straps, which have since been discovr ered and identified as the property of Mr P. Hamill. Still further investigations showed that a quantity.of goods had b?en rcmoved from Mr Hamill's premises. It is not known what the exact quantity was. A lad, who lia,s since t appeared, is suspected of the acts, e boy must have secreted himself in the premises before closing time, and after taking what he "wanted, let himself out at the back door, and procured the straps by means of which h© had gained an entrance to Messrs Beale and Co.'s shop. The .police arrived at this theory owing to the fact that none of the doors at Mf Hamill's had been- forced. An attempt was also made to en'tei: Mr David Brown's cycle shop. "The thief had got into the hack yard, and was cutting his way through the door into the shop, when he was disturbed, and made off across the fence. On examination it was found that the workshop had aljeacfy been broken into, and a new bicycle was taken out and pumped •up ready for use. In his haste to •get away, however, the thief left it standing in the yard. On Saturday the boy who is suspected was "served with a .summons, ' : in. which was charged \vith sthe i ~i ;theft of e*-fcicycW - -He 'Bid' not'' go to his home>on "Saturday night. On Sunday another theft of a "bicycle was reported to the police, Mr T. Jenkins having had his machine removed from his verandah on Saturday night. Mr Jenkins' bicycle was found in Columba Road yesterday morning. The same boy is also suspected of being connected with tlids theft. r