AUCKLAND BURGLARIES

Evening Star, Issue 19381, 15 October 1926, Page 14

AUCKLAND BURGLARIES

TWO SHOPS ENTERED [Pkb United Pkess Association.] AUCKLAND, October 14, On Monday night tbo clothing establishment of Mr Bert Rowlands, in Karangahape road, was broken into. An entrance was gained after the_ burglars had jemmicd their way in via the back door. A complete panel was smashed right in. The marks of the jemmy tiro still on tho door. Onco tbo panel was removed all the intruders had to do was to crawl through the large opening and release three large bolts which secured the door. _Mr Rowlands states that when he armed at his shop on Tuesday morning be found it bad boon thoroughly ransacked. Behind tho counter _was_ a litter of clothing of all sorts —suits, ties, collars, hats, rugs, stockings, etc.—piled up on the floor level with the counter. The burglars apparently had remained m the shop some time, for they selected suits, shirts, singlets, and socks of the one size. Nine box suits, which were on the shelves behind the display counter, were brought out and laid on the counter on the opposite side of the emporium. From each of the nine suits the burglars took the trousers only, leaving ’be vests and coats lying on the floor. Several valuable overcoats, several rugs valued at £3 5s each, and also several umbrellas which were displavcd near the front door were included among the booty obtained. “They must have been in my shop for hours judging by the stuff they stole and tho mess they made,” Mr Rowlands said. So far Mr Rowlands has ascertained *tbat £75 worth or goods have been stolen. This, ho saws, is a low estimate, for it would be impossible for him to discover definitely exactly bow much is missing for several da vs to come. Two mouths ago an unsuccessful attempt to gain entry to the same shon was made. Last night the premises of the Dominion Importing Company, in Karangahape road, were burglariously entered in a manner that would indicate that the burglars were tho samo men who entered Mr Lowlands’s shop on Monday night. The panel of tho rear door was smashed in and the door unbolted from the inside. Evidently the thieves confined their attentions to the basement, where some thousands of pounds’ worth of goods were stored. A careful selection of valuable articles was made, quite a number of sets of carvers valued nfc £4 4s being stolen. Dozens of watches, large nuantitios of cigarettes and tobacco, electroplate ware, and fancy goods, as well ns expensive face creams" and powders and other toilet goods, were removed. As far as can be gathered about £2OO worth of goods have been stolen. Both Mr Lowlands’s shop and the Dominion Importing Company’s premises are situated in the busiest portions of Karangahape road, which are patrolled day and night by constables.