BIG THEFTS OF JEWELLERY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15551, 7 March 1914, Page 2 (Supplement)

BIG THEFTS OF JEWELLERY.

BOARDERS VICTIMISED.

Jewel thieves who pretend to be in search of furnished flats or who take apartments in boardinghouses haw been very busy, in, London of late.

'Among the most recent victims were two single men 6tayiug in a high-class boarding establishment at Lancaster Gate. During their absence one Sunday morning their rooms were entered and ransacked, the thief, another visitor, getting clear away with nearly £2000 worth of their valuables. The police Have a description of the thief, who is described as " a goodlooking young Frenchman, about twentysix who speaks English only imperfectly, ana has fair, wavy hair. He dresses in a morning coat and striped trousers. Another robbery in the same district occurred next day. During the early hours a thief, taking advantage of an open window at the residence of the Rev. H. N. Bate, entered the house and stole valuable articles of jewellery worth about £300.

A warning has been issued by the police against two young, well-dressed men who have been victimising the owners of fashionable West End flats. These men inquire at house and estate agents' for the addresses of high-class furnished flats to let, and while on a visit of inspection one steals what he can lay his hands on while the other keeps the caretaker or occupier in conversation.

The men are described as being about twenty-eight or thirty. Both are fair, with fair hair, and are clean shaven, and about sft Bin to 9in in height. Both ire well dressed in newly-made fashionable clothes.

Another warning issued by the police is to landladies and others in London to be wary of the visits of a man who represents that he has just arrived from a distant town, and who 6eeks apartments. After making some trifling excuse (such as that he wishes to wash his hands), he steals jewellery when left alone.