COWARDLY ATTACK

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 73, 8 March 1933, Page 8

COWARDLY ATTACK

ON ELDERLY WOMAN

HOUSE RANSACKED. THREE MEN IN A CAE. A house in Hatuma road, in somewhat lonely surroundings and situated about two miles from Waipukurau, was the scene of a particularly cowardly robbery last evening. Alone in the house, Mrs Catherine Davies, an elderly widow, was blindfolded and forcibly held whilst her house was ransacked from end to end. The thieves, who stole about £3 in cash, made their escape in a waiting car.

Mrs Davies states that at about 8.30 or 9.0 o’clock, she was alone in the house, her three sons and one daughter having gone out, when she heard a knock on the front door. On answering the knock she saw a man standing in the shadows with a slouch hat pulled down over his eyes. He asked if Mr Davies, meaning her son, was home, and she, being n little suspicious and not a little apprehensive said that she would see if he was home. Mrs Davies tried to telephone a neighbour, but the 'phone being out of order, was unable to do so.

She returned to the door and was immediately* seized by the unknown visitor who threatened her, saying: "Come on, money or your life.” He then dragged her outside and threw a cloth over her head, calling out to his companions, who were hiding nearby, •'All is welL’’

Whilst he held her, his two confederates entered the house and switching off the light at the meter, ransacked every room, making a thorough search and throwing the place into wild disorder. Having discovered some £3 in cash they then left hurriedly, warning Mr s Davies against following them. A few minutes afterwards Mrs Davies’ daughter returned home and immediately cycled into Waipukurau and informed her brother and the police. Constable Sutton proceeding to the scene. q It is evident that the thieves were in search of money as they left untouched several articles of jewellery and other valuables. Mrs Davies was unable to recognise the intruders, who escaped in a motor car in the direction of Takapau, but the police have the matter in hand.