BRUTAL ASSAULT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 1, 1 December 1931, Page 7

BRUTAL ASSAULT.

WELLINGTON IMPORTER ROBBED. TWO UNKNOWN MEN. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Nov. 30. Assaulted, bound and gagged, Mr P. Isaacs, a well-known importer, lay helpless for several hours on the floor of his warehouse in the city this afternoon while his assailants made off with a quantity of jewellery. Mr Isaacs, who is 77 years of age, was in a bad •way when found. His store is on the ground floor of a concrete building owned by J. Myers and Co , at the corner of Featherston Street and Hunter Street, and Mr Isaacs was an importer of fancy goods, jewellery, watches and teas. He had no assistants and was in the habit of closing his shop for lunch until 2.15 p.m.', At about 2.30 p.m. a man entered and began pricing some goods. Another man. it is alleged, then dashed in and joined him. Mr Isaacs was pummelled by their fists, seized, gagged and bound. The robbers trussed «*him up, tying bis hands in front of him with strong twine and a very light rope and hound Iris mouth with pieces of towelling, which they passed around his face. Then they went through the stock, selecting as their booty diamond rings and ladies’ watches. Mr Isaacs does not think that they went to the safe, which was., unlocked alongside him. Having satisfied themselves that they had got all they required the men then made their exit, slamming the doors behind them. On the door they left a notice “Back at four o’clock.” By. steady efforts Mr Isaacs was able to shift the gag from his mouth. He called out for a very long time, hut the traffic pre vented his cries from being heard. At six o’clock Mr McGregor heard his cries, and going to the door of his shop found it shut. He then met Mr R. Read, secretary of J. Myers and Co., and told him that Mr Isaacs was locked in. Mr Read then climbed on to the sill of the frosted and barred window and on looking through saw Mr Isaacs lying on the floor at the end of tire counter. A sergeant and constable soon arrived and forced the door.

Mr Isaacs was bruised about the face where he had been struck by his assailants, but his bonds were quickly freed and although very weak lie was able to tell a little about the ordeal through which he had passed.