SNEAK-THIEVES

Evening Star, Issue 11609, 20 June 1902, Page 4

SNEAK-THIEVES

For a month past the residents of the city and snburbs have been the victims of a plague of petty thieves, whose small operations have been in mast ca es more annoying than serious. Tbe police have had the .matter in hand for some time past, and we understand that although no arrests have been made, their activity has resulted in a cessation of the operations, whether permanently or not remains to be seen. The thief or thieves—it seems as though there were a small gang at -work—operate oa a very old-established plan, if the accounts of the victims are correct. It has been merely to visit a house together, one man taking the rear and the other the front, the one engaging the lady in conversation while his male is at work. They are said to adopt a nun.lter of roles; sometimes they come as music-sellers, again as pictureframers or brash-seller.', or anything that O' - in Imndiort to their business. We understand that no robberies have been reported to the police for the past fortnight, and it is to be presumed that the robbers have been scared off the premises, or have been satisfied with their hauls, which in onr or two instances have been substantial in value. We append details of some of the thefts of wbkh we know;—

North-east Valley appears to have had the first visit, and among the houses visited was Mr A. J. Barth’s. Here the theives were fortunate to get hold of a couple of gold neck-chains and a watch which happened to be lying on the dressing table. A quantity of other jewellery was left untouched, and here, as in all other places, the thief appears to have been timorous or satisfied with half a loaf and his freedom The drawers in which the untouched jewellery lav were left unopened, and tie thief escaped with what he found on the table. This was valued at be f ween £lO and »915. We have been told that another place in the Valley has been visited, and a large quantity of jewellery taken, but have so far been unable to substantiate the rumor.

Roslyn and Maori Hill appear to be the worst sufferers, and owing to the almo ; t universal practice of leaving the doors and windows open, as though we lived in a real Arcadia, the thefts have been numerous. Mr Tles'a place received what was probably the first visit, and by getting through the front bedroom window, the thief secured a good haul of Airs Ees's jewellery. It so happened that most of Mrs lies’s rings were in a little case, and this was purloined, together with a purse containing £4 10s in gold. The loss is estimated at about £2G. Visits were aim paid to Air Gibson’s house (where the thieves got a couple of purses, fortunately con.raining no money, and a lady’s card case) and Mr Hall’s (where the thieves cot another couple of empty purses for sins). A lady living in Ross street has bad stolen a gold brooch, wsßfh she valued more for old associations than jts money worth; and another lady is reported to have lost a diar mond ring valued at £2O.

Mr Purvis, who lives near the Bowling Green Hotel, in Cumberland street, had his house entered some time ago, when a quantity of jewellery was abstracted. Among it were two watches and a number of brooches and chains. The value is estimated at about £4O. The house of Airs Dickenson, in London street, was likewise entered, but the theft was not so serious as the former one. Householders arc again warned of the importance of keeping a close watch on their houses, especially about nightfall.