A RUTHLESS THIEF

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 24, 29 January 1929, Page 12

A RUTHLESS THIEF

BURGLARY AND ARSON

THE PALMEKSTON NORTH CASE

(Special to "The Evening Post.")

PALMERSTON N., This Day

Details of the double burglary and incendiarism at Fending early yesterday morning show that it was tho work of an expert, who was prepared to stop at nothing to accomplish his design. His attempt to burn clown one of the leading business houses in Feilding to cover up the tracks of his burglary was a very callous pioco of work.

The residence of Mr. William Bramwell, in Duke street, Feilding, was first entered to get his keys; Then the large store of Win. Bramwoll, Ltd., in Fcrgusson street, was entered, the strongroom rifled of over. £100 in cash, and tho premises set alight in two places. Only the timely arrival of the nightwatchman prevented a serious fire.

That the burglar wilfully set alight to the premises is obvious from an investigation of the office. A set of pigeon holes containing dockets and other papers was the scat of one fire, and correspondence files in the strongroom had also been set alight.

The discovery of the (ire by the nightwatchman led to the discovery of the burglary, for- Mr. Bram well was quite unconscious of his trouble until called to the telephone by Superintendent 0. Sporlc.

Mr. William Bramweil's family retired at about 10 o'clock on Sunday night on Mr. Bramwell's return from Palmerstoh North. While Mr. and Mrs. Bramwel] lay sleeping the intruder, who had apparently maintained a^ carefulwatch, entered the bedroom and took Mr. Bram well's trousers and socks and some clothing of-Mrs. Bramwell's. In the trousers were' the keys of the business house in -I'crgusson street, £,'3 in notes, and some silver. The burglar entered by the back door, which was not locked, and departed without disturbing the household. The offico till, containing about 6ii) in cash, which had been removed to the strongroom on-Saturday night, was cleared of its contents, as well as the cash box, containing a littlo short of £100. A few cheques, payable to order and crossed^ were- left. No goods were disturbed.

The intruder apparently then set fire to the papers in the strongroom and to the dockets in the pigeon holes and decamped. The strongroom door was left open, but the front door of the premises was left locked.

Nightwatchman Trass was doing his rounds when he noticed tho flames in the office at tho back of the building, and he summoned the brigade. Fortunately tho fire was caught in tho early stage.