THIEVES ACTIVE IN AUCKLAND

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24869, 8 May 1946, Page 5

THIEVES ACTIVE IN AUCKLAND

BUSINESS PREMISES AND FACTORY ENTERED

FURNITURE DAMAGED WITH SHEATH KNIVES

(P.A.) AUCKLAND. May 7. Not content with stealing, thieves who broke into the warehouse of F. E Jackson and Company, Ltd., Anzac avenue, at the week-end, damaged the walls of the office and showroom and pieces of furniture by throwing sheath ’knives at them. Three other business premises in the same locality and a factory at Westfield were also visited by thieves, who took sums of money, the largest of which was £3O, a motorcar, and other items.

“It was sheer vandalism,” said Mr Gainor Jackson, in commenting on the damage done in his firm’s warehouse. The intruders had prised open drawers. stolen a sum of about £2. belonging to members of the staff, and scattered papers and files about the office. They had found the sheath knives among the stock, and hurled these at the walls, desks, and counters, leaving unsightly scars in the woodwork. An attempt to force open the safe had failed.

Bursting open the back door with bars and jemmies, intruders entered the premises of C. E. Lawford, Ltd., hardware merchants, Anzac avenue, and stole £3O in cash and goods valued at £5O. including golf balls, cigarettes, and a leather wallet. Drawers and desks were ransacked, and files littered all over the* office. The thieves evidently, were disturbed as they were about to eat some food, which had been packed ready to send to Eng-and. From the warehouse of Joseph Lucas (N.Z.), Ltd., thieves who entered through a back window, drove away a four-seater motor-car, after closing the front doors behind them. They took with them three or four spare wheels and tyres. The car, the property of a customer, was later fovfad by the police. A visit was also paid to the office of Wylie’s Yeast Products, but the intruders were unsuccessful in their search for money. They left the office untidy, taking with them five boxes of matches.

Cash amounting to £l7 was stolen from the strongroom in the factory of the Union. Oil. Soap, and Candle Company, Ltd., at Westfield. Entry —as made by forcing the. office door.