THE POLITE BURGLAR

Evening Star, Issue 20310, 19 October 1929, Page 5

THE POLITE BURGLAR

A lesson in the art of burglary has been afforded by four masked robbers who entered the beautiful home of a millionaire builder, Mr Richard P. Weber, and obtained jewellery valued at £7.000 and £BO in cash. The servant in Mr Weber’s home, overlooking Long Island Sound, - was dusting the front hall, while Mr Weber and his wife and little daughter still slept. A well-dressed man knocked at the door and asked to see the builder on important business. When the door was opened three other men pushed their way in, and one covered the servant with a revolver. He was already masked, and he waited until the others had put on their masks and hung up their straw hats. - The. servant was obliged to lead the men td ; her master’s room,' where Mr Weber and his wife woke to the sight of four men with revolvers. One of them said to Mr Weber : “ We know you have got jewellery insured for more than £10,000; we want it.” Observing that Mrs Weber was nearly fainting with fright, the man instructed pne of his partners to bring a glass of water,from the bathroom. This polite action over, he ordered Mrs Weber to open the- safe. ' ■ When she said that the combination numbers were on her dressing table, _ the intruder grew rough and replied : “ Nothing doing; open it yourself, and do not waste time.” After cutting the telephone wires the four men went downstairs, removed their masks, put on their straw hats, and departed in a-motor car. While this affair was in progress, pol’.e in Yonkers, New York, were chasing five men who had shot ’at and wounded a restaurant proprietor because his bill was “ excessive.” A police motor cyclist ran the gunmen to the kerb in a car they had stolen. A' battle ensued and this policeman and two of the gunment. were, wounded. All but one of “the gang were captured.