Ingenious Enough For Illusionist

Horowhenua Chronicle, 13 April 1934, Page 6

Ingenious Enough For Illusionist

SHOPLIFTER'S CLEVER RUSE HOW SHE. REPLENISHED HER WARDROBE - AUCKLAND, Last Night. One of the most ingenious devices used for shoplifting purposes that has come under the notice of the police was produced by Senior-Detective Hall ' in the Police Court when. Edna May v Gallaher, aged. 30, a cigar maker, pleaded guilty- to two charges p£‘ cused was charged with stdalingfvfour • pairs of bloomers and six-singlets \ of a total value of 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 12 inches, wrapped in brown paper and tied with string, and he gave a de- • raonstration 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 then pick up the desired garment through a slot on the underneath part of the box. ‘ . “She was discovered when a shop as-]

distant was surprised to see a singlet disappear, underneath the box,” added Detective Hall. ‘‘Accused then placed the cardboard box under her arm; and left the shop, but was followed, and arrested and the box was found-in her possession. ‘‘lt is a very cunning Arrangement, deliberately made for shoplifting purposes, and looks as if it has been used on other occasions. It is so. cleverly jnade that it should be the property of an illusionist.” .“You really deserve 21 days’ imprisonment for deliberately making a contrivance for shoplifting,' ’ said Magistrate Hunt, in admitting, the woman to strict terms of probation for 32 months.’ "I will take a risk and Chance in doing this,-and I suppose the" ' Court will get abused for doing SO.” ' -• ’A; ■>> '■ ,