THE POLITE BURGLAR

Hokitika Guardian, 1 October 1929, Page 7

THE POLITE BURGLAR

NEW YORK, August 20. , A lesson in the art of burglarly has been afforded by four masked robbers who early yesterday wintered the beautiful home of a millionaire builder, Mr Richard P, Weber, and obtained jewellery vulucd at £7,C00 and £BO in cash. The servant in Mr Weber’s home, overlooking Long Island Sound, was dusting the front hall, while Mr Weber and his wife and little daughter still slept. A well-dressed man knocked at the door and asked to see the builder on impoitant business. When the door was opened three men pushed their way in, and one covered the servant with a revolver. He was already masked and hq waited until the others had put- on their masks and liung up their straw hats.

The servant was obliged to lead the men to her master’s room, where Mr Weber and his wife, woke to the sight of four men with revolvers.

“WE AVANT IT.”

One of them said to Mr Weber-. “We know you have got jewellery insured for more than £10,COO; we .want it.”

Observing that Mrs Weber was nearly fainting with fright, the man instructed one of his partners to bring a glass of water from the bathroom. This polite action over, he ordered Mrs Weber to open the safe. When she said that the combination numbers were on her dressingtable, the intruder grew rough and replied: “Nothing doing, open it yourself, and do not waste time.. After cutting the telephone wires the four men went downstairs, removed their masks, put on their straw hats, and departed in a motor-car.

While this affair was in progress, police in Yonkers, New York, were chasing five men who bad shot at and wounded a restaurant proprietor because his bill was “excessive.”

A police motor-cyclist ran the gunsivicm to the kerb in a car they had stolen. A battle ensued and tins policeman and two of the gunmen were wounded. All but one of the gang were captured.