STOREKEEPER ASSAULTED

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 July 1933, Page 7

STOREKEEPER ASSAULTED

NIGHT-CALL BY THIEVES OUTRAGE NEAR FOXTON [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] FOXTON, July 1. A dastarly assault was committed on a storekeeper at Himatangi, six miles north of Foxton, last night. Mr and Mrs C. M. Sorensen were aroused at 1.30 by two men knocking at the door of the store, asking for benzine. Mr Sorensen got up and supplied the benzine and oil, and was asked to hold a light, while they were being placed in the car. As he was doing so, he was struck on the head by one man, who attempted to gag him. He struggled free, blood streaming down his face. His wife hearing the struggle, investigated, and endeavoured to communicate with the police, but found the telephone receiver wrenched from the machine. She then rushed into the shop, where she was confronted by the men, and told to hand over all the money. She opened the till, to show that nothing was there. The men then threatened her, and finally demanded cigarettes, and were told to help themselves. As they were doing so, Mrs Sorensen escaped and aroused the neighbours, but on their arrival the men had decamped. The police have Ch e number of the car used. Mr Sorensen is 83 years of age.