MYSTERY THEFT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22833, 18 March 1936, Page 16

MYSTERY THEFT

JEWELLERY VALUED AT £ISOO Jewellery valued at £ISOO belonging to Lady Lucas-Tooth, of Green House, Wimbledon Park, w r as stolen from the motor car of her husband, Sir Hugh Lucas-Tooth, barrister, of Lincoln’s Inn, while the car was unattended in Piccadilly, London, on a recent night. The jewellery, which was in two suitcases, included a jade necklace, a diamond bracelet, a diamond brooch, a platinum and diamond wrist-watch, an emerald ring with diamonds on each side of the single stone, and an ivory toilet set. All the doors of the car were locked. They were apparently opened with a key when Sir Hugh was in his club. The car was in full view of the hall porter of Sir Hugh's club, and the commissionaire of a large hotel opposite. Neither saw anything unusual happen. But during the short time the car was unattended someone stole the jewellery. Sir Hugh Lucas-Tooth said to an interviewer: “ The doors were locked, and yet it is obvious that someone opened one of them with a key. Other suitcases in the car were not touched. This robbery will serve as a serious warning to me that car doors, although locked with the correct key, can be opened by other keys, and I hope the knowledge will help other motorists.” Sir Hugh Lucas-Tooth. who is 33 years of age. was Conservative M.P. for Isle of Ely from 11)25-29. He was the eldest grandson of the first baronet, Sir Robert Lucas-Tooth, whose three sons were killed in France during the war. The baronetcy was recreated by grant of the King, and Sir Hugh assumed the name of Lucas-Tooth in place of his own name of V. H. D. Warrand by Royal Letters Patent. He was called to the Bar in Lincoln's Inn in 1933.