STREET THIEVES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21579, 25 August 1933, Page 10

STREET THIEVES

WOMEN SHOPPERS ROBBED ALL BUT BABY TAKEN Thieves in Auckland are extending their operations beyond hats, coats and umbrellas from cloak rooms and other articles which singly may be secreted and are indulging in bolder activities. Cases reported this week show the length to which thieves are going. A resident of Herne Bay, while "shopping in the vicinity of the Three Lamps, had her child with her in a push chair, in which she placed her purchases. Attracted by some goods in a shop window, and knowing that she would be absent for not more than a few moments, she placed the push chair against the window while she entered the shop. She was away little more than a minute, but that time was sufficient for a thief. Everything but the child was abstracted from the push chair and there was no sign, of the thief. In another case, a woman was shopping in Newton and she placed her purchases in a basket which she carried over her arm. Presently she was conscious of the weight becoming lighter, and it was then the woman found that every one. of the articles she had bought had been taken from her. Again there was no trace of the thief.

A boot repairer was the victim jn a further instance. His habit was to place on his counter boots and shoes which had been repaired, but ho has discontinued the practice sinca he was called on to replace a valuable pair of shoes which were stolen. He was just in time a few days ago to prevent his window being plundered of leather cut in convenient sizes for boot and shoo repairs.