A BAKING THIEF

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6488, 7 April 1908, Page 6

A BAKING THIEF

ATTEMPTED DAYLIGHT. ROBBERY. CHASE ACROSS'.COUNTRY, ' PEEBB ASSOCIATION. , AUCKLAND, April 6, A 'particularly daring member of the light-fingered fraternity turned hi* attentions to the residence-of-Mr. Charles Moon, of the Pah! road. Mount RoskilJ. at .about 4 p.m. on Saturday. Mr and Mrs Moon were in the garden at the back' of the house and their children were in tbo house. ’ It appears that the cause of ail the trouble, after entering the garden, carefully removed his boots, Which he placed under the front verandah.. Then entering the house cither by the front bedroom window or by the back door, he made for the bedroom and commenced the operation of taking into bis' own charge the more valuable contents of the apartment. His depredations were interrupted by the entrance of Mrs Moon. Time only permitting of the execution of a strategic movement to- cover under the bod. Mrs Moon at one© gave the alarm, and as her husband camo to her call, the man dashed : out from his hiding placo and made his exit by the front door. . The ensuing race across country was replete with incident. The bootless thief, with Mr Moon close at his heels, jumped - a wall and wire fences, his pursuer also being suoccastul in negotiating them. Observing that he was losing ground, the quarry doned nis ©oat. which Mr Moon pidked up, thus gaining a material advantage. The fugitive led the coase on-to th# Pah road, but approaching Mr WorraTs property cleared a hedge and set off ■pin across the fields. Instructed by Mr Moon, a boy on horseback made an effort to block the man, who, however, was finally successful in gaining the cover of the scrub near ,St. John's ColOnehunga police, under Sergeant Rogers were immediately on the scent of the escapee, but although they searched until dusk they coma .find no trace of him. Yesterday Detective* Cox and Skinner, of Auckland, superintended the search, which is also continuing to-day. Aiter the abrupt departure of the thief, the jcwcllen", valued at about X4O, was found lying loosely under the bed. The intruder had been unable to find the sum of J 220- which was in the room. It is believed that the only articles missing are a “Bengal" razor, & flax kit, and 10s in silver.