SHOP-THIEF QUEEN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 19 May 1923, Page 7

SHOP-THIEF QUEEN

OPERATIONS IN BERLIN A SENSATIONAL TRIAL What is claimed to be the greatest shoplifting trial on record is at present entertaining Berlin. There are 18 persons accused, and 3000 cases of shoplifting to be dealt with. At least 70 leading Merlin shops are alleged to have been victimised. The head of tho large organisation, is ' Frau Rober, who kept a gambling hall in one of the most prominent streets of Berlin, and. with her sister, two daughters, and son-in-law, directed operations. Furs, dresses, watches, Persian rugs, china, bronzes, glass, and art objects of every imaginable kind were collected in Frau Rober's elegant flat, and then either distributed in Germany or sent by underground channels to Holland for I sale In the main, the facts appear to be admitted, an enormous mass of stolon property having been found in possession of the accused. Frau Rober's defence is that she suffered from kleptomania. "I lived only foivthe love of my children," she exclaimed, with a maternal sob while under Examination in court. But she displayed the. impudence of a professional criminal- " Were you never caught stealing?" she was asked. "Oh, yes, xciy often." she replied. "Then I always paid for the things, and the matter was arrang ed like that." %

The poor observation kept at tho large ISerlin shops evidently facilitated tlugang's work. "Tho women are accused of stealing a china service of 32 pieces," said the judge to a, detective. "That appears to me practically impossible." "Nevertheless, it! was done," said V. - detective. "Fran Rober showed me how she did it. She leaned over the coun ter, and, with the hielp of her assistants, packed tho whole thing under her cloak."