SAFE TKEFT DRAMA.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 13430, 11 July 1914, Page 9

SAFE TKEFT DRAMA.

MOTOR-CAR. BURGLARS" £2000 RAID.

NEW YORK, May 25. ! A. band of scientific burglars achieved j a signal triumph m New York m the early hours of this morning, when they ] invaded the new Strand Theatre, where a gang of workmen were busily engaged m installing a large organ. Tho leader o£ the burglars introduced ' himself as a detective sent to investigate • a theft of valuable diamonds from a 1 lady who attended Sunday night's performance. The nightwatchman obligingjy ordered the workmen to stand m a fine before i the supposed detective. Then, suddenly' becoming suspicious of the "3etective," he asked for the man's credentials. The visitor blew a police whistle. Instantly three accomplices rushed m, exclaiming. "Here are our credentials," as they pointed revolvers at the amazed; workmen, whom they handcuffed and locked m a cellar. They then wrapped carpets round the safe to deaden all sound, "tapped" electric wires, and drilled holes m the safe. While they were at work a guard from outside entered. Instantly he was gagged and imprisoned. Tho^ nirrhtwntehman carried a "time" clock" which ho had to "punch" every hour as a sign.il to the burglary patrol station that everything was all right. The burglars released him at three, four. *nd five o'clock, and compelled him by threatening him with thoir revolvers to! "punch" the cluck. At the end of three hours the safe was blown up and the contents, amounting to £2000, carried to a waiting motor-car, m which the burglars drove rapidly nv*ny. ' The watchman escaped through fi*coai-hole at six o clock this morning and gave the alarm t;> the police, who rescued the imprisoned workmen. ■'■ Tho burglar* worko<l m gloves to avoid leaving finger-prints.