WAREHOUSE THEFTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 26, 1 February 1932, Page 5

WAREHOUSE THEFTS.

EX-EMPLOYEE'S ADMISSION. SURPRISED BY MANAGER. USE OP, DUPLICATE KEY. Retaining a duplicate key to the warehouse whore lie had once been employed, a salesman had been in the habit of returning and committing thefts. Early one morning last week, John Howard Terry, aged 38, salesman, was surprised in the warehouse by the manager, and two days later he was arrested on charges of breaking and entering. Terry appeared at the Police Court this morning charged with breaking and entering the warehouse of E. O. Parley, Ltd., on different dates, and stealing two dozen bath towels, valued at £1 3/, washing tablets valued at £30, 35 dozen bath towels and six dozen tea towels, valued at £30 2/0.

The manager of the firm said Terry had for 14 months been employed as a traveller by the firm. He was discharged in March of 1931, partly on account of the depression and partly as a result of complaints which had reached witness concerning his conduct when out of town. When employed by the firm Terry had the use of a key to the factory in Newmarket, in order that he might garage his car when in town. When he was discharged Terry handed in a duplicate key of one of the originals. This was not the key issued to him. After accused had left the firm the stock sheets revealed a shortage of stock valued at £30. Witness suspected Terry and had Terry's rooms searched, with the result that £0 worth of stock was found there. Terry admitted stealing these goods, washing.tablets, and added tliat he stole them while in the employ of the firm. Witness took stock on January 7 last, and discovered a shortage of 35 dozen towels, valued at £29. He went to the warehouse at 7.10 on the morning of January 21 last, entering by the front door, which he afterwards locked. He went upstairs to the office, and had been there about 20 minutes when he heard a noise downstairs. Going to investigate, he found Terry standing at the foot of the stairs. Terry said that lie saw the front door open and entered. When told that witness had locked the front door on entering Terry persisted in assuring him that he found it open. Gave a "Reference." Counsel: You gave accused a reference when he left. Do you remember what you said in that reference? —I think I said he worked satisfactorily, and that if an intending employer got in touch with me I could supply further particulars. I think he worked well? —Yes. And handled a considerable amount of cash when he was with your firm?— Yes. We always found that his travelling expenses were all right.

Leonard Albert Crewe, residing at Vincent Street, said accused called at his place on December 31 and said he had some towels for sale. Witness purchased about twelve dozen towels, paying Terry £1 per dozen pairs. Accused brought the towels ill lots. The last lot was brought to witness on January 8 and comprised four dozen. Terry said he had some tea towels for sale as well. Witness' mother bought nine. Terry told witness that he would introduce him to the agent for the towels, but never returned, as he promised, to do so. Witness had no idea the towels were stolen. Diary Found. Detective Knight said he located accused in a boardinghouse on January 23 and asked him where he got the towels. At first Terry would not give any information, but subsequently he admitted stealing the towels and washing tablets. On January 24 witness took Terry to Pitt Street, where he said he had thrown the key. Terry searched on a plot of ground until he found the key. "I found in Terry's possession," said Detective Knight, "a diary showing records of a house-to-house sale of towels totalling o\er 1)00 by accused. He gave mo every assistance, but I could only recover seven of the stolen towels. The rest had been sold."

Counsel: Do you know that Terry has been drinking a good deal?— Yes, I understand lie has been drinking heavily. Terry pleaded guilty to all charges and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence.