Four jailed for jewellery theft

Press, 26 February 1983, Page 7

Four jailed for jewellery theft

PA Wellington Four men involved in the organised theft of $7168 worth of jewellery from a Wellington jeweller more than 15 months ago have been given jail sentences. The four appeared for sentence before Judge Hobbs in the District Court at Wellington with a female co-of-fender. The five were together on October 19. 1981, when one of the group stole $7168 worth of 18 carat gold rings from the window of a Tawa jewellery shop. The group drove off in a car while the shop owner had hold of the driver round the neck.

Michael Russell John Gorrie, aged 22, unemployed, had earlier pleaded guilty and was jailed for 12 months. Joseph Patrick Traynor, aged 22, was found guilty of being a party to the theft of the rings, and was jailed tor 12 months. John Howatt Ormond, aged 43, a seaman, and Walter Robert Ranga, aged 37, a painter, were both jailed for nine months, having been found guilty by a jury of being a party to the theft. Jacqueline’ Winnifred Wagner, aged 24, a waitress, was found guilty of being a party to theft, and was fined $5OO. ’