EXPERT “JOB”

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 64, 9 December 1930, Page 13

EXPERT “JOB”

Men’s Store Raided AUDACIOUS THIEVES Discriminating Selection Dominion Special Service. Auckland, December 8. An audacious and carefully planned robbery was carried out during the week-end by thieves who broke into Hallenstein Bros.’ clothing establishment in Queen Street and stole a considerable quantity of men’s attire valued at about £l5O. The crime was the more daring because it was carried out in the heart of the city and in one of the busiest parts of Queen’ Street. The manner in which entrance was gained suggests that the “job” was that of expert cracksmen. It is believed that at least two men were at work and that much “surveying” was done before the big shop was attacked. The shop was securely locked about one o’clock on Saturday afternoon. Although the firm employs a night watchman, he does not enter the shop, but merely examines the doors during the night. Tlje robbery was not discoveerd until employees reached the shop this morning. It was then found that one of the. doors leading to Queen Street had been tampered with. The door was held by a patent lock, but the hasp, fitted on the inside to a padlock, was snapped off. ~ „ „ . , To gain entrance the thief climbed about 15 feet on to the top of a large window on the right of the main entrance from Queen Street. Probably he was assisted by a confederate, who gave him a “leg-up.” . There are no island windows, and the thief or thieves would have to ehmb to the top of the window in full view ° f top the thief vaulted about 12ft. over to the right-hand corner ot the shop entrance and smashed the last of six panes of glass windows. There he would be out of view of anyone walking along Queen Street. Once the window had been smashed it was comparatiyely easy to drop, down to the floor of the shop on the inside. Judging by the amount of mens apparel stolen the thieves must have spent several hours in the building, making a selection of the garments they desired. They were highly discriminating in their taste and took articles of one size—size 4. There was not one kind of men s attire that they did not steal. The swag included about two dozen shirts, five dozen silk socks, pyjama suits, dressing gowns, bathing costumes, ties (both singly and in boxes with handkerchiefs to match), handkerchiefs, braces, shoes, shirts, woolleu rugs, and underclothing.