ATTEMPTED BURGLARY

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 122, 8 February 1923, Page 7

ATTEMPTED BURGLARY

♦ A DESPERATE ATTACK I JEWELLERY WAREHOUSE DOOR SEVERELY DAMAGED

Between 1030 and 11.30 o’clock last night a desperate attempt was made by a burglar to break into the premises of P. Isaacs and Co., importers of jewellery, watches, clocks, etc., No. 0 Hunter Street. Although great efforts were made to force open the door, which was severely damaged by the onslaught, it resisted the attack. . Constable Tapp, while patrolling his beat, found at 11.30 p.m. that a. piece of wood, nearly three feet in length, had been torn" off one of the double doors at the front of Isaacs and premises. The constable immediately notified tk Q police station, and a posse of police was soon on the scene. Mr. P. Isaacs was summoned by telephone, and when he arrived an examination was madeb*!’ the warehouse, but it was quite apparent, that an entrance had not been gained by the would-be intruder. Tho police took possession of a padlock and staple that had been wrenched off the door. A Dominion reporter who examined the door found it considerably splintered. A plate staple and heavy brass Yale padlock had been wrenched off. The substantial inner lock on the door had proved invulnerable while the burglar was / endeavouring to lever, the door open. He had torn the woodwork' away from the keyhole to the edge of the door, and with 'more time at.his disposal would no doubt have either smashed the inner lock off or forced the bolt. A powerful jemmy, or small crowbar, must have been used, judging by the appearance of "the door. Hunter Street at that time of night when the burglar was at work, not being a main thoroughfare, is practically deserted. Hie attempt, however, was a daring one, as the door is only a round from Victoria Street, unless he was assisted by a confederate who kept watch. The corner, and anyone might have taken the burglar by_ surprise by coming round from Victioria Street. The door was intact when previously examined at 10.30 p.m. by the policeman on duty.