SHOPLIFTING DEVICE

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 13 April 1934, Page 4

SHOPLIFTING DEVICE

WOMAN ADMITS OFFENCES

.OHAR-G’ES IN AUCKLAND COURT

(By Telegrapn—Press Association.! ■ AUCKLAND, April 12. One of the most ingenious devices used for shoplifting purposes that has coine under the notice of the police was produced by Senior-Detective Hall in the Police Court when Edna May Gallaher, aged 30, cigar-nialcer,. pleaded guilty to two charges of theft.. IShc was charged with stealing fouipairs of hloomers and six singlets of a. total value of 15s on April -6 and on the same day stealing a singlet valued at 3s lid. .Senior-Detective 'Hall produced a cardboard box about 18 inches by 1inches, wrapped .n brown paper ana tied with string. iHc gave a demonstration showing how the woman stole articles of underclothing. 'She would place the box over the article she desired. insert her hand through one end, which was left open, and tnen pick up the desired garment through a slot on the underneath part of the box. “She was discovered when a shopassistant was surprised to see a singlet, disappear'-underneath the box," added Senior-Detective Hall. “Accused then placed the cardboard box under her arm and left fene . shop,, -but --she was, followed and arrested. The box was, found in her (possession. It is a very, cunning arrangement deliberately made for shoplifting purposes and it looks as if. it has been used on other occasions. It is so cleverly made it should be the property of an illusionist.’’ “You really deserve 21 days’ imprisonment for deliberately making a contrivance for snoplifting,”, said the. magistrate, iMr IF. K. Hunt, irv admit* ting the woman to strict terms of probation for 12 months. “I will take a risk and a chance in doing this and 1 suppose the Court will get abused for doing so.”