Revolvers, Bullets Stolen At Wigram

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31162, 12 September 1966, Page 1

Revolvers, Bullets Stolen At Wigram

Four .38 Smith and Wesson revolvers were stolen from an armoury at the R.N.Z.A.F. Station, Wigram, on Saturday afternoon. Early yesterday afternoon thieves broke into three explosives stores and stole 460 rounds of .38 ammunition.

These daring thefts w ere made in a professional manner by forcing entry into the armoury and explosive stores. The police will not disclose the method used.

The first theft was discovered about 9 a.m. yesterday during one of the regular checks of the armoury. The police were notified and De-tective-Sergeant T. Joy and Detective-Constable J. Gott went to Wigram. When the armoury was inspected at 3 p.m. on Saturday no firearms were missing. A check of all armouries and

explosive stores was made between 9 a.m. and 11.45 a.m. yesterday and the four revolvers were missing. The second theft was discovered yesterday afternoon by Warrant Officer D. C. Narby and Detective-Sergeant Joy, who was investigating the previous robbery. The .38 ammunition is in cartons of 12. ; The thieves also took 15 I rounds of .303 blanks. I On June 20 a quantity of ■ firearms was stolen from the I Army Hall at Ponsonbv, Auckland. Twelve 9 mm. F.N. automatic pistols, three 7.62 mm. self-loading rifles and six 9 mm. Stirling submachine guns were taken. The police have offered a re-

ward of £5OO for the recovery of these weapons. Also stolen were a binocular, nine watches and a pair of old type handcuffs.