AUDACIOUS ROBBERY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 151, 27 May 1938, Page 6

AUDACIOUS ROBBERY

SAFE REMOVED. AUCTIONEERS’ LOSS. An unlawful entry was made last night to the premises of Messrs J. L. Bennett (Harry Palmer and Co.), auctioneers, at the comer of Rangitikei Street and King Street, and ' a safe removed. No exact information could be given of the contents of the safe, this morning, though it was known to contain cheques and a sum of money. The cheques • handled by the firm are left open only on very rare occasions. A broken window in the wall next the lorry entrance from King Street showed this morning how entrance had been gained. All the doors fasten on the inside, and when an intruder gained the inside of the building the latches on a big sliding door could have been undone. The safe stood m a corner of the office near the Rangitikei Street wall, and a hand truck left near the main door suggested that the safe had been wheeled across the floor to a waiting backed against the large door. A table had been also left at that point, the inference being given that the safe was lifted on to it before being loaded on the lorry. The safe weighed about 24 cwt. Tbe circumstances surrounding the incident are similar to those which applied to a burglary at Lake House, Ohinemutu, this week of which reports were published in the Press. In that case, thieves entered the building and removed intact the office safe, containing about £l3O in cash and cheques. The safe there was also removed in a hand truck, propped up with cushions taken from the hotel lounge.