MORE BURGLARIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 June 1938, Page 6

MORE BURGLARIES

“TIMES-AGE” BUILDING BROKEN INTO. PREMISES OF MESSRS C. SMITH RAIDED. The “Wairarapa Times-Age” building was broken into last night and although a thorough search was made of drawers and other office fittings only About 3s in cash and a pair of gloves were stolen.

An entry was made by forcing open a back door. A sum of nearly £3, contained in a parcel in one of the office drawers, was overlooked, in spite of the fact that the office gave the appearance of having been pretty thoroughly ransacked. The “jemmy men” demonstrated their agility when they broke into the shop of Messrs C. Smith, Ltd., Queen Street, by scaling the tall iron grilles protecting the entrances to the shop.

Two of the front doors were forced open, the marks of the “jemmy” used being practically identical with those on the “Times-Age” door and on the places broken into a few weeks ago. The intruders were apparently only in search of money, as nothing appeared to be disturbed in the shop. In the office, however, there was a scene of general confusion, drawers being forced open and papers and letters scattered with abandon. A small amount of petty cash was taken, but the strongroom withstood a determined attempt to open it with a “jemmy.”

Judging by the way drawers were opened and papers scattered it would appear that the burglars were searching for the key to the strong room, as was also apparently done at the “Times-Age” Office. The intruders left by the back door. The fact that the entrances to the shop were protected by grilles prevented the constable on night duty from finding the doors open in the course of his rounds. Detective-Ser-geant W. Kane and Constable C. Reardon are in charge of the police investigations.