THIEVES AT RAKAIA

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29715, 8 January 1962, Page 10

THIEVES AT RAKAIA

» ■ Attempt On TAB. Safe

Thieves carried out a successful raid in the Rakaia township during the weekend. breaking into three business premises and stealing property and money totalling £l5O 8s 6d. An attempt was made to force open the safe of the Totalizator Agency Board, but the intruders were thwarted when the handle of the heavy combination safe was wrenched off.

A car which was taken from outside the Hornby picture theatre between 8.45 p.m. and 11 p.m. on Saturday, and was found abandoned in Scenic drive, Timaru, yesterday afternoon, is believed by detectives investigating the crimes to have been used by the thieves. The three shops broken into were Shannon's Drapery, a hairdressing and tobacconist’s shop owned by Mr R Baker, and a chemist shop owned by Mr B. F. Dorizac. Mr Baker is the Rakaia agent for the T.A.B. Clothing valued at £23 19s 6d was taken from Shannon’s Drapery, entry being gained by breaking a rear window of the building. Goods valued at £39 16s were taken from Mr Baker’s shop. They included cigarettes and tobacco valued at £3O, a man’s wristlet watch valued at £B, and cigarette lighters worth £1 16s. Three men’s and one woman’s wristlet watch, films, cigarette lighters, and a small sum of cash, totalling £46 17s lOd, were taken from the chemist shop. Christchurch detectives are making inquiries into the thefts and car conversion. They were unable to say last evening how much money was contained in the T.A.B. safe, because the door handle was wrenched off in the attempt to open it. It is believed that the thieves intended to blow the safe open. About £l5 in cash was taken from a till wheti thieves broke into the Tlnwald Supply Store, Tinwald, early on Sunday morning. Entry was made by forcing a side window, and removing tinned fruit from a shelf across the window, inside the shop. After taking the money the intruders probably left by the front door, said the proprietor, Mr T. Whiting, yesterday. Ashburton police are making inquiries.