Smooth cinema theft nets $23,000

Press, 9 April 1980, Page 2

Smooth cinema theft nets $23,000

PA ’ Auckland Detectives believe the two robbers who got away with $23,100 from a Queen Street cinema on Monday evening either had inside information or had been “casing” the premises for some time. The two men wearing motor - cycle helmets, knew where to go and picked their moment perfectly, said Detective Sergeant A. R. Lynch of the robbery squad, yesterday. The robber entered the manageress’s office at 9.25 p.m. just as she was placing the entire takings of the long week-end in the floor safe. Cinema staff were yesterday checking tickets and receipts to establish exactly how much had been taken. A few hours after the robbery it was believed the figure was about $16,000 but yesterday, the figure was established as $23,100, the entire takings . from Thursday' to Sunday.

“They were there at exactly. the right, time, and they I struck gold. They must have been amazed how much they got,” said Detective Sergeant Lynch. All the money was bagged, and just had to be gathered and taken away. The men may have been given information by a present or previous staff member, or else they had been preparing their robbery for some time, Detective Sergeant Lynch said. The two robbers had been seen loitering about the cinema’s Lome Street entrance from about 8 p.m. and had doubtedly been seen by a g great many people, Detective Sergeant Lynch said. The police asked for assistance from any of these people. Staff first saw them leaning inside the door of the cinema shortly before the robbery. The men first stopped one of the staff and searched through her bag before pushing her into the manageress’s

office just as the cash was being locked away.?.The safe was not shut? The men were not expecting to get so much; they had not brought a container large enough and had to empty the manageress’s carry - all bag. The police think the two may have got away on a stolen motor-cycle? Detective Sergeant Lynch said the police wanted to hear from those who visited the cinema during the weekend and paid . for, .seats by cheque. The five cinema staff members on duty on Monday evening spent most of yesterday at the Auckland Central Police Station assisting the police with statements and descriptions. Detectives seek a European man, 1.68 m (sft 6in) tall, of stocky build, and in his early 20s. the other man is probably a Maori, in his late 20s, of slim build, and scruffily dressed.