THEFTS FROM SHOPS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 36, 22 November 1940, Page 2

THEFTS FROM SHOPS.

MAN AND WIFE SENT TO GAOL. (Per Press Association). ' AUCKLAND, November 21. Described by the police as versatile shop thieves and users *of ingenious methods, William Robert Falconer, aged 42, a labourer, and his wife, Bessie Falconer, aged 33, were jointly charged at the Magistrate’s Court on nine counts with stealing a variety of goods valued at £B3. They pleaded guilty. Falconer also pleaded guilty to stealing articles valued at £l6, belonging to the Railway Department, by whom ho was employed as a porter. Detective F, X. Quinn said that lie saw the two accused at the Farmers’ Trading Company store on November 8, wehn he found stolen property in their possession. Falconer had explained to him that Mrs Falconer would take things from store counters while he covered her up and put the things in a bag. On one occasion Mrs Falconer stole a blouse and later returned and got a refund of 7s lid for it. N

The police later found stolen goods at their residence.

The Falconers told the police that they started in May be selecting seven pictures and asking that they be wrapped up and put aside until they called again. They went back and pointed out to another assistant that the goods had been held for them, and had obtained delivery without payment. That worked so well that they continued to secure furnishings for their home in the same way. The Magistrate, Mr C. R. Orr Walker, said that he Avould have to impose a more severe penalty on Falconer. Mrs Falconer had assisted her husband in a very tricky way.

Falconer was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment on one charge, followed by 12 months’ reformative detention and two years’ probation. His wife was sentenced to three months’ reformative detention, followed by 12 months’ probation.