PLANNING A BURGLARY

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 79, 28 December 1926, Page 3

PLANNING A BURGLARY

SCHEME CAREFULLY PREPARED before the coup. The modern cracksman has learnt the full meaning of that old criminal maxim, *‘Tt is- not what you take sway, but what you leave behind that get you into prison” (says a writer in the "States- ■ A tremendous amount <f groundwork is done before bringing off a coup, and weeks will be spent jn preparing a plan of campaign that will provide for every contingency; yet the keynote of the actual crime is simplicity, and it is this very simplicity that makes the task of detection more difficult to-day than ever before. When dealing with a plain, straightforward burglary the criminal is materially assisted by reason of the shortage of domestic servants, and a favourite dodge is for a woman confederate to obtain a situation in the victim’s bouse to locate valuables, squeaky hoards, and burglar alarms, and take impressions of locks. This information is passed cn to the gang and a plan of the premises is made. Detailed instructions are given to everyone taking part in the raid. The actual robbery follows this pla,n to the letter and the whole "job" is carried through with clock-like precision . The amazing attention paid to details extends even to the criminals’ clothes. Nothing of a conspicuous nature is worn. The necessity for this is emphasised by a recent case in which a pair of socks, a combination, of many Scottish nlaids, were the only means of identification. Shoes ire elways removed before entering the house, and the greatest care taken to leave no fingerprints, footprints or dirt. Even when a gimlet is used to born through woodwork to a lock a small piece of putty is forced into Ihe holo made in order, to postpone discovery as long as possible.

A dog riding on the running hoard of a car is quite a common sight, but it is seldom that a calf occupies that position ('remarks the "Southland Times”). Such was the case recently, when a. young Friesian passed through the town sere noir perched on the running board of a car.