DARING GEM THEFT

Gisborne Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 10489, 14 October 1926, Page 5

DARING GEM THEFT

DIAMOND VALUED AT TEN MIL LION FRANCIS STOLEN. *

ROBBERS CROSS VERSAILLES MOAT WITH LADDER,.

TOWER WaLLS SCALED.

(United Press Assn.—Copyright.) PARIS, Oct. 12. Thieves broke into tile gem room at the Chateau de Chantilly, ' Versailles, and carried off the famous Grand Conde Rose diamond, valued at 10,000,600 francs, and other valuables.

(Received October 13, 5.15 p.m.) PARIS, Oct. 12. The robbery at Chateau de Chantilly was a most daring one. Tile thieves evidently arrived in a lorry carrying long ladders. They know the attendants were sleeping m the opposite wing to the Treasure Tower, where the diamond was stored. There is a drawbridge connecting the park and the Treasure Tower. This is raised at night-time, but. the -thieves threw a ladder across, thus gaining access to the walls of the tower, which they scaled. One thief kept • watch while the others rilled the cases of all pocketable articles, including the Conde diamond. Other articles of artistic interest were untouched, including priceless enamels by Cellini.—A.N.Z.G.A.

WORLD- U IDE SEARCH

MUST BEAUTIFUL DIAMOND IN WORLD. ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO RECUT. (Received October 13, 9.30 p.m.) LONDON,, Oct. 13. A world-wide search is being made for the famous diamond and other treasures from the Chateau de Chantilly. As soon as the theft was discovered a score of detectives left Paris headquarters, while Marshal Petan and M. Paul Bourget, who are Die conservators of the collection, hastened to Chantilly in motor cars. The only clues at present arc the ladders and a few finger prints. A description of the jewels has been circulated throughout the Continent, and frontiers and ports are closely watched. Diamond experts are of opinion it will be impossible for the thieves, whom the police suspect to be members of an international gang, to sell the Rose diamond, which is known to all dealers as the most beautiful pink diamond in the world. Moreover, it is almost impossible to have it recut without discovery, while if broken up into small pieces its value will be destroyed.

M. Leon Rosenthal, one of the leading Paris dealers, opines there is a gang carrying out sensational thefts not so much with the idea of selling the booty as of obtaining big sums for restitution. They have accomplices in England, through whom merchants and insurance companies recover stolen property. The Rose diamond is pear-shaped, about half an inch wide, an inch and a-quarter long, it is set as a tiepin and is surrounded by other precious stones. It was one of the treasures left hv the Prince of Conde. It is impossible to estimate its value. 'The thieves secured other articles which in themselves would have been a sensational haul, including the Cross of the Legion of Honor which Napoleon gave to Bmni Aymard, diamonds, gold bracelets, rings and watches.

Baris detectives believe the thieve: have reached London.—A.N.Z.C.A.