CLEVER THIEF.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18551, 28 November 1925, Page 16

CLEVER THIEF.

MAN OF MANY PARTS. DEAL IN FURNITURE. YOUNG MAN'S DEBAUCH OF CRIME. (SPECIAL TO ••THE PRESS.") AUCKLAND, November 27. As tho result of extensive- enquiries that have been made during tho past fen- days by Detective Sergeant Issell and Detective O'Sullivan, these two officers effected the arrest of a young man, aged 24, early this morning in a house at Parnell. It is understood that the man in custody has made a full statement concerning a number of offences. Ho admits that on September 28th last he broke into Mr H. P. Kissling's house in St. Stephen's avenue, and stole furniture valued at £ll7 from the house, which was unoccupied at tho time. Entrance was gained, and the young man rung up Kichard Arthuf, i»td., representing himself as Mr Kissling's son. He asked that a man should be sent to the house, as he wanted to sell the furniture. The firm complied with the request, and a valuer was dispatched. As a result, a quantity of furniture was sold and paid for. The accused assisted in removing th© furniture on a lorry, and obtained a cheque in payment. He also signed the receipt in tho name of "Kissling." This cheque was subsequently cashed at a Karangahape road joweller's establishment, and the purchase of a diamond ring effected.

"Electric Light Man," Accused's next escapade was to ring up Miss Smith, of Burwood crescent, iiemuera, and represent himself as an official of tho Auckland Power BoardHe said ho was sending a man along at 2 p.m. for tho purpose of inspecting tho electric lighting system. Promptly at 2 o'clock the "official" turned up, and informed Miss Smith that he was from the Power Board. Ho was immediately invited inside. Once insido he proceeded to examine the lights in Miss Smith's room.

Miss Smith, who had been with the "official" during the time when ho was in her room, then had occasion to leave the room to prepare tea for the gardener. During her temporary absence, it is alleged, the accused ransacked the room and took from a handbag a small amount of cash, the front door key, a motor-driver's license, and also an insurance warrant. After leaving the bedroom he met Miss Smith in another part of the house, when he told her that the lights were not "sparking too well." After partaking of a cup of tea, the bogus Power Board official then took his departure. A "Detective." Next day Miss Smith, received a telephone communication from a man who represented himself to be a deteotive. He told her that he had succeeded in arresting a man who had been the subject of an accident in Queen street that day, and also that the man had in his possession a motor drivers' certificate and insurance warrant. Miss Smith was naturally anxious about this, and the front door key also. The bogus detective then intimated to her that the man arrested had thrown the key into the harbour. He also said that the "offender" was a young man about 24 years of age. He invited her to describe to him what the "electrio light" man looked like. Miss Smith did as required by the supposed detective. The "detective" told Miss Smith that the man whom he had in his custody compared with the description given of the "electric light" man, adding that the arrested man was an American. Bobbed and Fired House. Accused's next step was to enquire from Miss Smith as to whether she had reported the matter to the police. She told him that she had already reported matters to the Newmarket Police Station. Accused then told her that the "detectives had the matter in hand, and that the Newmarket police had- nothing further to do with it." It so transpired that daring the first conversation. Miss Smith incidentally mentioned to the accused that she and her mother intended to go to Titirangi for a few days' holiday on November 23rd. Miss Smith's house was broken into during her absence, and tho place set on fire. A gold watch and chain and several cheque books were stolen. The whole house was gutted by fire on November 24th. Lots of Cheques. Quite a number of business firms in Karangahape road, and also in the city, received cheques for goods sold, comprising mostly furniture and jewellery. On enquiry by detectives it was ascertained that these cheques had been stolen from Miss Smith's house. A number were cashed, and in each instance goods, including several sideboards and other large pieces of furniture, were Bent to an address in Epsom. As the goods arrived the occupier of the house whose address had been given by tho young man, declined to accept delivery, and promptly had the things taken back. Most of the goods have since been recovered by tho police. The young man m custody v wjH appear before the Police Court to-morrow morning, when, no doubt, he will be remanded on the various charges that are being preferred against him.