THEFTS OF JEWELS

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29384, 10 December 1960, Page 13

THEFTS OF JEWELS

“Gang Based On Liner” SYDNEY, December 9 Australian and New Zealand detectives are working together to trap a suspected gang of jewel thieves The gang’s base is believed to be the Dominion Monarch, a big ocean liner which travels round the world, calling at New Zealand and Australia. Recent investigations in Wellington have revealed that each time the ship berthed there, some of the city's biggest jewel robberies were committed. Sydney newspaper reports today say it is a New Zealand police theory that the gang is selling the jewels to “fences” in Sydney. The vessel docked in Darling Harbour early today from the United Kingdom. Customs officers and men from the pillage squad were on the quay. They watched the crew closely, but did not detain any. Last time the vessel was in Wellington—late in August—three jewellers’ shops were broken into, and several hundred pounds’ worth of jewels was taken. Intensive police searches failed to find the jewels. On the day the ship departed, one of its crew was arrested in connexion with a jewel robbery He refused to give information, and was deported immediately under guard. Sydney reports say that New Zealand police searched the vessel several times before sailing, but without success. They ha.told Australian police they are certain the vessel “is being used.” ( The ship will leave Sydney tonight, and is due in Wellington on December 13.

Australian detectives, recently, searched the “underworld” for likely fences. About three years ago, jewels stolen in Wellington were recovered in Sydney. More recently. South African police recovered precious stones stolen from a Wellington shop. The Dominion Monarch also stops at South Africa.