SHARP-WITTED THIEF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14853, 2 December 1911, Page 2 (Supplement)

SHARP-WITTED THIEF.

QUICK-CHANGE ARTIST.

Somk weeks ago a Berlin shop-lifter named Starke, with two companions, planned a midnight raid on a large butchering establishment, where they had ascertained a considerable amount of money was kept on the premises. .

Starke clambered into the building through a window, but just as his two companions were about to follow, they perceived that they were under the observation of a street watchman, and promptly decamped. Warned by the disappearance of hie comrades that something unexpected had occurred, Starke threw off his jacket, and donned a bloodstained butcher's apron and cap, switched on the electric light, and, seizing the butcher's knife, began to work furiously on the meat.

When the watchman appeared and asked tho supposed butcher whether he had not observed the suspicious behaviour of two men outside. Starke replied nonchalantly that lie had seen the rascals, but that they had run off on catching sight of him, whereupon the. watchman withdrew, satisfied that everything was in order. Then Starke robbed the cash-till., packed up some choice pieces of meat' in a parcel, and. opening the door with a key. which he found on the premises, quietly let himself out. and departel. ■■'. Then Starke decided that he required a new supply of footwear, and started out to procure it. Entering a boot shop, he tried on several pairs of boots, and finally, finding something" to his satisfaction, allowed the assistant to fasten them for him and then walked about the shop declaring that the boots fitted him perfectly. He then asked the assistant to show him some brown shoes, and while she mounted a , step-ladder in search of the article desired, Starke took to his heels. / The assistant immediately gave chase, and the pursuit was quickly taken Up by a number of people, at the head of whom ran Starke shouting louder than any one else "Stop Thief !" This time, however, his ruse was not successful. Ho was overtaken and safely landed at the police station.