CITY THEATRE ROBBERY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20989, 28 September 1931, Page 6

CITY THEATRE ROBBERY.

BUNDLE OF NOTES SEIZED.

PEPPER THROWN AT CASHIER.

MAN APPROACHES TICKET BOX.

SUDDEN GRASP AT MONEY. A sensational robbery was committed at the ticket box of the Strand Theatre on Saturday evening when a man, throwing pepper in the face of a woman cashier, who was counting the evening s takings, seized a pile of notes before the woman could prevent him and ran swiftly across Queen Street. There were few people in the vicinity at the time and the thief escaped. The cashier, Miss Eileen Trotter, was adding the notes and silver taken during the evening when a man approached the ticket box. which stands at the entrance of the vestibule. It was about 8.45 o'clock, and there was no jne in the theatre entrance at the time, while very few people were in the street. Matchbox Full of Pepper. The man, who appeared to be about 40 years old, and was of medium height and thin build, stepped up to the ticket box and asked, "Is it too late for the show?" Miss Trotter told him he could still obtain admission, and the man said "Give mo a shilling ticket." Miss Trotter handed a ticket to tho man, who fumbled in his pocket as if to obtain money, and then suddenly whipped out a matchbox full of pepper, which he swiftly opened and threw in Miss Trotter's eyes. Before the woman realised what had happened, the thief snatched at the nearest pile of notes, totalling over £l6, which were lying just inside the opening in the glass front of the box. While Miss Trotter, blinded by the pepper, was calling for help and attempting to find her way out of the door at the back of the box, the man darted across the pavement and through the traffic in Queen Street. In his haste he dropped a £5 note. By the time other attendants had reached the scene the thief was almost across the road, while there was no one about the footpath near the theatre except a news vendor, who did not realise what had occurred until the man had made good his escape. Thief Eludes Pursuit. Although the thief had obtained a good start, attendants from the theatre set up a pursuit, following him across the road and up Qmen Street to the corner of Wellesley Street. The man, who was gaining ground, turned into Wellesley Street East, and by the time his pursuers reached the corner he had disappeared. Although the search was continued for some time, no further trace of him could be se^n. When she had recovered from the effects of the pepper Miss Trotter was able to give further particulars of the man, who she stated appeared to be poorly dressed. He was wearing an old fawn overcoat, and a grey felt hat which was drawn well down over his face. He was clean-shaven, and had short features, while his complexion was sallow. Detectives are .making investigations.