THIEF AT A PARTY

Hokitika Guardian, 25 October 1930, Page 8

THIEF AT A PARTY

CUNNING AND DARING. WOMEN’S HANDBAGS ROBBED. AUCKLAND, October 21. Once again the thief who operates while the household is playing cards has come into the limelight. Last night he raided the house oc Mrs B. G. I Stephens, 14 Marine Parade, Ponsonby, and got away with three women s handbags, his total haul being £ll. Again cunning and daring were displayed by the thief. Motor-cars were lined up outside the house, indicating j that a party of some sort was in progress. Blinds in the sitting room were not fully puliecl down, so that a prowler could easily see into the room where the women were playing bridge at three tables. Besides tins v-i - was the fact that a cellar under the house leads right under the sitting room and anyone hidden there could hear every word from above. It was about nine o’clock that the daughter of Mrs Stephens, Phyllis, aged nine years, who sleeps on a porch leading off the main bedroom, was attracted by a light flash ingT She did not take much notice at the time for she thought that one of the women at the party had gone into the bedroom. Shortly afterwards she became alarmed and cried out, “Mummy, there is a man in the room.” She had heard a noise. Mrs Stephens looked under beds, in wardrobes and all through the house but could see nobody. Neither the guests nor Mrs Stephens was greatly alarmed, for the hostess explained that Phyllis is a highly imaginative little girl. When the husbands arrived to take their wives home alter supper the thefts we' te discovered. Due woman lost £5 10s, another £3 and another £2 10s. Agitated husbands made a hurried search of the house and surroundings. Two hafidbags were found in the’ cellar, and one on the front lawn. Vanity cases, powder puffs and other oddments dear to women were found strewn on the lawn.

“One of my guests was fortunate,” said Mrs Stephens in telling the story of the robbery this morning. “She had a sovereign wrapped up in a piece of paper, blit this was overlooked hv the thief.” The others were left only with their tram fares.