SHOT FIRED AT THIEVES

Taranaki Daily News, 30 April 1931, Page 6

SHOT FIRED AT THIEVES

BOOTY PROMPTLY DROPPED WHAREHUIA WOMAN’S ACxxON. THEFTS FROM COUNTRY GARAGE. Mr. J. Gibbs, Stanley Road, Wliarehuiaj lias recently had petrol and sundry items stolen from his motor shed. The depredations reached a climax on Tuesday night when another visit was paid by thieves to the garage, but the warm reception that was accorded them should deter them from attempting similar operations in the future. At 10 p.m. Mr. Gibbs and some friends, were listening to the wireless, and -Mrs;-Gibbs went out the back door to fill the kettle for supper. As she opened the door she saw someone moving stealthily near the garage. Mrs. Gibbs called to her husband, who, however. did not hear her -above the noise of the wireless. Rertiembering that there was a shot gun just inside the dour, Mrs. Gibbs rammed a cartridge into the breech and sent a charge of shot scattering a few yards in front of the intruders, who promptly dropped what they were carrying and made a hurried exit. A search near the front gate revealed a tin of petrol, a grease gun and a packet of butter dropped by the intruders in making their escape. Various articles in the garage had been disturbed.

After they had come out of the shed Mrs. Gibbs and her companions saw a movement at the rear of the house. Chase was promptly given, but the marauder eluded capture. Mr. Gibbs and his friends drove along the road in the hope of catching sight of the thieves but no trace of them could be seen.