Tourists robbed of expensive jewellery

Press, 2 July 1986, Page 1

Tourists robbed of expensive jewellery

More than $60,000 worth of jewellery was taken from the bags of an elderly Dutch couple who visited Christchurch recently. One of the items taken was a gold brooch with a Icm diamond inset, of an estimated ... value of $26,000. ” Gold rings, medallions, brooches, and watches were stolen. The theft has upset the couple, who are retired and in New Zealand on an organised tour.

“Some pieces have been in the family for more than a century,” the man, who declined to be named, said from Picton last evening. Detective Sergeant John Ell said that the police had told jewellers and second-hand- ■/ . dealers about the theft. The jewellery was taken on Sunday when the couple’s bags were left at a central Christchurch hotel, which the police declined to name.

The tour party they were with then went to the Canterbury Museum. During the several hours the party was away, the couple’s bags were moved from the hotel’s foyer to the second floor. The bags were later found by staff. A jewellery box in one of the suitcases was missing. Detectives have spoken to hotel staff, but the staff saw nothing suspicious. The tourist said that the jewellery was insured, but not to the full value. Items taken included a gold brooch shaped like a musical note and a gold locket with the pictures of two persons. Another gold brooch has inset the coats of arms of II provinces and a Dutch gold coin bearing the images of Queen Wilhelmina and Queen Julianna. A gold chain holding a gold coin, bearing the images of Prince Bernhardt and Queen Julianna, was also taken.