THIEF DELIVERED BY VAN.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12497, 7 May 1906, Page 7

THIEF DELIVERED BY VAN.

"What i.s lK'lieved to bo nn outindy new I departure in t'iie methods of the Jjondon 1 hous breaker has boon brought to tho j notice*, of a family in Streatham in an iinI t'.-restin.g. if dis:igr«>iible, manner. Not ! long alter a lady had left her hou-e for j the afternoon, a van drove up to the door, and the man in charge told the s rvant that ho had brought an ottoman. Tim servant said that isho thought thero must bo smiw mistake. Her mistress 'had not told her that any ottoman was coming, nrtd if sho had expected one to bo doliven d sho would no doubt, have done wi. Tho man in chargo of the van readily replied that the ottoman was a j pre-ent. and wa.s intrttdecl as a pleasant 1 -surprise for tho lady of the house. j Naturally tlie fi.-"rvant at once said that j the ottoman could Ik? taken ins-id \ and tho viinman and liits assistants lost no tim • in carrying it into tho house and taking it tip-taits to the *b'">f l.odrm-m. They then diovo away. Half an hour later tho van again drove up. and the driver told tho .-ervant that he found ho had made a mistake utter all; the* ottoman wa/? for somtone eio-'. The servant. p!eas;d at finding that -she wa.s right, a'lowed the Ottoman to be taken away. It was not until later the discovery wiiß mad. l that all tho drawers iii\ tlie room had bren rifled, and that .'-.■wellfry, siivcrwaio. a purse and its content-, and other valuables had boon stolen,.