71 CHARGES OF THEFT.

Gisborne Times, Volume LIII, Issue 5533, 15 July 1920, Page 5

71 CHARGES OF THEFT.

ALLEGED SHOPLIFTING ON EXTENSIVE SCALE.

COURT RESEMBLES SAMPLE ROOM. . AUCKLAND.. July 11. A man of German birth, named Louis von Einem. forty-seven years of age. who had hitherto been known in small circles in the city as a gardener of mild manner, and given to attending strictly to his own business, appeared before Air Wilson, S.M., this morning, as the al- J leged author of a series of the most, expert shoplifting operations whicn have yet disturbed the peace, happiness and profits of the shopkeepers of Auckland. . About half-past six one morning last month Constable Holt surprised this man tampering with a locked, case at one of Whitcombe and Tombs’ island windows in Queen street, and despite the explanation that he was attending to the firm's business the man was taken bv the constable to tlie police station. ' From what was found on the man, and was discovered subsequently at. his lodging-room, the police made a'\ collection of goods, nearly all new, valued at just over £IOO. Just on four weeks spent, by Sergeant Dempsey and. Constable Holt in finding owners for the property, resulted in about sixty | shopkeepers about the city and suburbs ■ identifying ALSO worth of millinery, drapery, jewellery, and mercery which-' had disappeared from their several shops during the past eighteen months As a result, von Emoni had put against him sixty-nine charges of theft ; of goods taken from var ons shops, etc., and valued at £278 3s 2d, one charge of theft of unidentified goods valued at £lO4, and one charge of theft of £2l worth of goods at Wellington. One section of the court-room, in which the goods were displayed had the appearance of a woll-stocited sample room. Bottles .of bay rum hobnobbed with delicate ami intimate underwear fabrics that, ladies affect; suitcases and brief bags were interspersed with btetson. velour, felt and tweed hats,, and a stvlisli toque was perched saucily on a typewriter. A smart, evening gown ,>avV a touch of colour to one corner, m which there were also several portions of tailor-made suits and a pair ot modish brown boots (number tens). There was also a Corona type\\ l itei, while fountain pens ot a yar.ely of makes and mounts appeared m company with several watches, a couple ot umbrellas a thermos flask, .and a lady s hair switch. If there was any special departure from catholicity displayed U ! wbb perhaps in the. matter of fountain 1 pens and hats. Among the assortment : put. forward as stolen goods there veil i seventeen fountain pens (many of tun gold mounted), winch were identified 1 and claimed, and sixty-eight were uu- ! claimed. There were eleven hats claimed by local shopkeepers, and halt ..a 1 dozen not yet identified, ranging from ! a six-guinea Stetson by way of velours and felts down to. the worlc-a-day Tweed 11 The hearing of the case occupied all dav ami had not concluded when the Court adjourned.—Press Assn.