JEWEL RAID

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume LX, Issue 17, 3 March 1939, Page 7

JEWEL RAID

FILM MAGNATE ROBBED

OF £3000

Skilfully entering the Portland Place luxury home of Mr Mark Ostrer, the film magnate, thieves stole over £3000 worth of jewels and departed without leaving a clue.

Every member of the household staff was on the premises, but heard not a sound. How the thieves entered unobserved is a mystery, for there is no evidence of any door or window having been forced.

Mr Ostrer's butler stated that the burglary was between 9.30 and 10 p.m. while Mr and Mrs Ostrer were out.

"The thieves found their way to Mrs Ostrer's bedroom", and opened the safe where the jewellery was kept with the keys left in a drawer in the same room.

"Among the articles stolen were valuable bracelets and rings and other things which Mrs Ostrer cherished very much. I understand that the value of the stolen property is between £3000 and £5000."

Mr Ostrer's home is at the end of Portland Place furthest from Oxford Street —one of the most fashionable West End residential quarters.

At the back of the house is a fireescape extending from the tradesmen's entrance almost to the roof.

C.I.D. officers investigated the theory that the burglars might have climbed this and found their way through a window inadvertently left open, closing it when they escaped.