Mystery Theft

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 66, 19 March 1936, Page 12

Mystery Theft

JEWELLERY VALUED AT £ISOO Jewellery valued at £ISOO belonging to Lady Lucas-Tooth, of Green House, Wimbledon Park, was stolen from the motor-car of her husband, Sir Hugh Lucas-Tooth, barrister, of Lincoln's Inn, whilo the car was unattended in Piccadilly, London, on a recent night. The jewellery, which was in two suitcases, included a jade necklace, a diamond bracelet, a diamond brooch, a platinum aud diamond wrist-watch, an emerald ring with diamonds on each side of the single stone, aud an ivory toilet set. All the doors of the car were locked. They were apparently opened with a key when Sir Hugh was in his club. The car was in full view of tho hallporter of Sir Hugh’s club, and tho commissionaire of a large hotel opposite. Neither saw anything unusual happen. But during the short time the car was unattended someone stole the jewellery. Sir Hugh Lucas-Tooth said to an interviewer: “The doors were locked, and yet it is obvious that someone opened oho of them with a key. Other suitcases in the car were not touched. This robbery will serve as a serious warning to me that car doors, although locked with the correct key, can be opened by other keys, and I hope the knowledge will help other motorists.” Sir Hugh Lucas-Tooth, who is 33 years of age, was Conservative M.P. for Isle Ely from 1925-1929. He was the eldest grandson of the first baronet, Sir Robert Lucas-Tooth, whose three sons were killed in Pranco during the war. The baronetcy was recreated by grant of the King, and Sir Hugh assumed the name of Lucas-Tooth in place of his own name of V. H. D. "Warrant! by Royal Letters Patent. He was called to the Bar in Lincoln’s Inn in 1933. Maybesit’s right that doctors have the world’s-worst hand-writing. But I’ve never yet seen a doctor’s bill that I couldn’t make out. A butter-distributing firm recently held a big banquet, a notable feature of the speeches afterwards was the number of pats the speakers gave one another.