REPORTED ROBBERY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21142, 28 March 1932, Page 10

REPORTED ROBBERY.

ELDERLY WOMAN'S ORDEAL. RENDERED UNCONSCIOUS. SHOP ENTERED BY RUSE. Tho proprietor of a small dairy in Napier Street reports that she was robbed in her home at an early hour 011 Friday morning. Her assailants gained admittance to the premises on the pretext that they "were in search of apart-mojits, being given a room, of which they todk possession only a few hours before the assault. After thoroughly searching tho shop and living quarters they secured only about 10s in small change. It is believed that they were 'under the impression that the shopkeeper kept a hoard of money. The assaulted woman lives in a twostoreyed, wooden building, part shop and part house. She resides on the ground floor at the, back of tho shop and has been in tho habit of letting tho upper rooms as apartments. bhc states that on Wednesday a young man, well dressed anu apparently respectable, called and told her that ho was a railway employee who had just heen transferred to Auckland from Whangarei. Ho said he would bo joined by his wife the following day and wished to obtain apartments near tho citv.

Tho shopkeeper was willing to let, tho Tooms, and ho returned on tho following day, when he said his wifo would arrive in tho evening. He later called and left a large parcel or bundle at tho shop, remarking that ho would meet his wifo and they would ;:[.end tho evening in the city, and could be expected about 10 p.m. Call to the Upper Floor. About that hour they arrived together at tho shop. There was nothing in the appearance of either to indicate that they wero not what they represented themselves to be. The man, who was dressed in a brown suit, was of midcllo height and strong build, while tho woman, who was also neatly dressed, was above average, height and slim, with fair hair and fresh complexion. They had no luggage beyond fhe parcel. After they had been given refreshment and had chatted in a friendly manner with the shopkeeper, the two retired. About midnight, as tho proprietor was working at the back of the shop, the man returned downstairs and asked for two aspirins and a cup of water, stating that his wife was not feeling well after her journey. After being given these ho returned to his room. As she was about to retire the shopkeeper states she heard a call from the upper floor, and tho man then came down, saying, -"My wife is seriously ill; she wants you to go up to her." The shopkeeper complied with the request, f accompanying tho man to the bedroom. Seized From Behind. '-'As I went in the door, thc > man said,'Here she is,' " said the shopkeeper last evening. "I could not see his wife in bed, but before I had timo to say anything I was seized from behind. She must have moved up behind me as quietly as a cat. She gripped mo by tho throat, while the man stood by. He did not touch me, but the woman was able to choke me, although I struggled and tried to tear her hands from my throat'. Ido not remember crying out. The harder I tried to struggle the tighter she held sie. I have wondered since if ■ she was a man disguised."

When sbe recovered consciousness she was lying on the bed in the room, continued the victim. She did not feel the effects of any blows, the assailants apparently being satisfied that she would remain unconscious while they searched the premises. She still felt the effects of the attack, her throat .being sore and eyes painful. Every Room Searched. When she was able to move about, she found that the two had left and every room and the shop had been searched for money, although the contents of drawers and cupboards were left in a fairly neat state. None of the stock was missing, while all the money the assailants secured was about 10s in small change from various rooms. A slightly larger sum in silver which was enclosed in a box had been overlooked. The thieves left the shop by the back door, which was open, while her keys were left lying on a counter in the shop. The assault was reported to the police, while neighbours later gave information that a motor-car was heard starting in the street about 3 a.m.