STREET-COLLECTION THEFT

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 November 1940, Page 8

STREET-COLLECTION THEFT

PROBATION GRANTED. [per press association.] AUCKLAND, November 29. Caught by the police in a trap, prepared while she was collecting money in the streets on Friday last, during an appeal for the Fighting Forces’ Fund, .Margaret Elizabeth McComb, married, of Devonport, appeared on summons in the Police Court, and pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing £4/6/-, belonging to the Patriotic Committee. Detective McEwen said that, by arrangement, a number of marked coins were placed in the collection box which accused carried. At 11.30 a.m., he saw her walk from Customs Street into Galway Street at the rear of a building. She tipped the collection box upside down into a separate cardboard box, and put something into her pocket. Early in the afternoon, he saw her do the same thing. Accused admitted the theft, and said that she was trying to make up £l5, which she had lost in the previous week. Mr. Orr Walker, S.M., described the theft as premeditated and contemptible. He admitted accused to probation, on condition that she did not take part in similar activities.