WIDESPREAD THEFT OF NORTH ISLAND MOTOR CARS

Grey River Argus, 16 January 1948, Page 7

WIDESPREAD THEFT OF NORTH ISLAND MOTOR CARS

[Special to “Argus”]. WELLINGTON, Jan 15.

The theft of cars at Auckland, New Plymouth, Hastings and Napier, in close succession during the past few days suggests the operation of a gang of professional! law-breakers. Reports from correspondents at New Plymouth and Napier suggest that the same persons who convened a car at New Plymouth and switched the number plates with those of a car stolen from Auckland have now made Hawke’s Bay tneir hunting-ground. The awakening of a Bay View resident about 3 o’clock yesterday morning by some persons tampering with his bulk supply of petrol led to 'the discovery of two converted cars. One of these is believed to have come from Auckland, the other from Hasttings. Clothes Stolen One of these cars contained a quantity of dry-cleaned domes thought to have been stolen from Taylors’ works in blastings. The clothing had been thrown hurriedly into the back. The other car contained sump personal ware thought to have came from New Plymouth. A report from New Plymouth said a car owned by a resident of Brixton, which was converted on Monday was recovered the following day without number plates. A discarded number plate found ne.arby belonged to a 1947 Vauxliall 10 of a fawn colour- which was stolen from Auckland on January 11. It appears that the number plates had been switched. The registration, number of the New Plymouth car was 96431. An earlier report from New I lymouth said that three suitcases belonging to a Wellington businessman and his wife were stolen from their •parked and locked car. Their loss included personal Ciotning. It is thought that this was the clothing that was found in the cur abandoned at Napier. Upon the discovery of the intruders at Bay View, Napier, police immediately began investigating. No arrest had bden made last nigat. Another car was removed from Hobson street, New Plmouth between 10.30 a.m. and 2.50 p.m. yestG The car is a 1937 Vauxhall 14, painted green and bearing numner plates 95157.