BERLIN CINEMA RAIDED

Southland Times, Issue 20791, 4 June 1929, Page 7

BERLIN CINEMA RAIDED

CAR BANDITS’ DARING COUP. SMALL CASH RESULT. A gang of motor bandits carried out a successful coup on March 13 in the centre i of Berlin’s West-end “pleasure quarter,” though their booty was probably a disappointment to them. The Kant Cinematograph, situated in the great thoroughfare of the same name, had just emptied out. the last batch of its patrons and the cashier was about to count up the evening’s takings, when a smart limousine drove up to the door. Although the hour was late, the "night, life,” of which Berlin is so proud, was still in full swing and no one paid particular attention cither to the vehicle or to two young men, disguised with motoring goggles, who hurriedly left it and entered the theatre. Brushing past the watchman, who happened to be in the corridor, they entered the office, and, with the challenge, “Hands up,” produced revolvers from their pockets. The manager of the establishment took the receiver off the telephone with the intention of calling up the police, but one of the bandits stepped instantly to his side, and, pressing a pistol to his chest, said, "Drop it, or I shoot.” Discretion was evidently the better part of valour in this situation, and those present made no further resistance. The thieves then seized the evening’s takings, relieved the manager and his staff of their pocket-books, and hastened out into the street, where a third member of the party was ready to whirl them off in the car. The total proceeds did not, however, amount to more than £2O or £3O.