Thefts from cars mystify police

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32702, 3 September 1971, Page 4

Thefts from cars mystify police

Extensive inquiries by the Christchurch C. 1.8. car squad so far have failed to discover the offenders responsible for a rash of thefts from cars in Christchurch’s eastern suburbs in the last three months.

Hundreds of dollars worth t of property had been stolen I apparently by several gangs of youths working from cars, Detective Sergeant A. E. Harris of the car squad said yes-, terday. , About six weeks ago a man • in the area saw about four car-loads of youths trying to , remove the car-cover from ; his car, said Detective Ser-: geant Harris. The offenders seen were aged between 15 and 22. Hill suburbs chosen The areas in which most of the thefts have occurred are Sumner, St Andrews Hill, Mount Pleasant, Moncks Spur, Redcliffs, Clifton Hill and Scarborough, with the two last the hardest hit. These suburbs were chosen probably because a lot of the houses in the area had no garages and cars are left outside for the night, said Detective Sergeant Harris. ■ Sometimes 15 or 16 cars • parked in a row on a hill ■ would have been broken into , in one night. A cave containing property stolen from cars in Moncks’ , Spur was discovered at ’ Moncks Spur about six weeks : ago. Sheepskin rugs, docui ments, bags, coats, and purses i valued at about $lOO were : found in the cave.

Several sleeping bags were also found and it was obvious the thieves had slept in

the cave for several days, said Detective Sergeant Harris. Neighbour investigates Police were told about the cave by a neighbour who investigated after seeing two youths leave. ‘ "Terrific inquiries were made after the discovery,” said Detective Sergeant Harris. “All sorts of patrols, ’ including foot patrols were ! tried, with no luck.” Detectives are looking for two youths, aged 16 to 20, about sft 6in, and of slim t build. One has auburn or 1 ginger hair, the other darker , hair. They were wearing unusal jeans and striped “T” 1 shirts when last seen. ) “People don’t realise that anything left in a car may be t taken,” he said. “One fellow f lost a brief case full of office 1 documents.” t Besides the loss of property I there was the damage done in i. gaining entry to the cars, uss ualiy by smashing a window. II “We would appreciate information from any resident in the hill area, or any area, y who has had their car inter- ’’ fered with or who knows the * identity of the persons ini- volved,” said Detective Sers geant Harris. e “Even a telephone call to e supply the number of a car i. believed involved would be n welcome.”