BURGLARS IN CHRISTCHURCH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20290, 24 December 1927, Page 6

BURGLARS IN CHRISTCHURCH.

CHEMIST’S SHOP ENTERED. THIEVES ESCAPE IN DARKNESS. (Special to Daily Times.) CHRISTCHURCH, Deember 23. Two men who broke into a chemist s shop, conducted by Mr J. Shier, at iOi Westminster street, St.Albans, early this morning were chased by the police, but escaped. At 2.15 a.m. the burglars were busy ransacking the shop when Mrs I. Matthews, who livea opposite, noticed ihem. She notified the police, who arrived a few minutes later. The burglars evidently heard the car and made off. Entrance to the shop was gained by the front door, a small iemmy forcing the -lock. Tlie intruders proceeded to fill their b?£s with perfumes, soaps, and photograpnic goods. They were removing the pick of the contents of the window, and were flashing a torch when Mrs Matthew's, who had got up to attend to her daughter, noticed them. On receipt of her telephone message Sergeant Hodgens and Constable Abjrnethy set out in a taxi, and in a few minutes reached the shop. The ear stopped about 30 yards from the shop. Tlie police were approaching the shop when the thieves rushed out and made off down the street with two bags of loot. The sergeant and the constable gave chase, and were within 30 vards of the burglars, who ran down Mersey street and disappeared in some paddocks near by. One of the thieves dropped his bag, and the two succeeded in evading the police. More constables arrived on the scene, and a thorough search was made of the surrounding district, but daylight failed to find any trace of the thieves. Mr Shier estimates his loss at about £lO.

THEFT FROM WORKING MEN’S CLUB. (Special to Daily Times.) CHRISTCHURCH. December 23. The theft of goods from the Richmond Working Men’s Club, discovered yesterday morning, had a sequel in the Magistrate’s Court this morning, when Wa'ter Fraser Sherris Harneiss was charged with the theft of liquor, goods, and cash to the value of £l4 10s. The accused was remanded till January 10.