CINEMA SAFE ROBBED

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19825, 30 December 1938, Page 6

CINEMA SAFE ROBBED

THIEVES SECURE £6O THREE HOUSES’ TAKINGS (Per Press Association.) HASTINGS, this day. Approximately £GO, the takings of three picture houses was the prize gained last night or early this morning when the office safe of the Regent Theatre, Hastings, was robbed. The intruders committed a particularly daring burglary and were favoured by exceptionally good fortune in that, by reason of special unforeseen circumstances, the key to the safe was left on the premises allowing easy access to the safe. Entry to the theatre was made by forcing open the door of the scenery studio at the rear of the building. A search of the office and the various receptacles appears to have been made, but there was little to be gained. A visit was than made to the ticket box and typist’s office and it was then that Dame Fortune played into their hands. -V certain Him shown last night had to lie rushed to Palmerston North this morning in time to make connection with the services to Wanganui, and the manager, file. Allan E. Tong, had arranged to leave the key of the safe in the office so that the typist would be able to bank yesterday's takings first thing this morning. The key was accordingly left in a little draw in the ticket-box and it would seem that while searching this small room, the intruders came across a bunch ol' keys which included not only the safe key but also that of Mi'. Tong’s office. After extracting the money, the visitors locked the safe, placed the key upon the office table in a prominent position and decamped, using ono of the theatre exits. The discovery of the night’ happenings was not made until about !> o’clock this morning. The money stolen comprised the takings from the Regent. Municipal and Cosy Theatres, all of which are under control of 11.8. Amusements Limited.