THEFT OF MOTOR-CARS

Taranaki Daily News, 14 February 1933, Page 9

THEFT OF MOTOR-CARS

PREVALENCE IN AUCKLAND. “STRIPPING” NOT UNCOMMON. The theft of motor-cars continues to provide a problem for the Auckland police, and there have been numbers of incidents recently where attempts have been made Io break into garages in order to remove vehicles. Suburban districts have been especially affected and on a recent occasion at Remuera a large crowbar was found where an attempt had been made to enter a private garage. A continual vigilance on the part of the police is required in regard to motor-cars, and, more particularly where vehicles are parked in city streets while their owners attend theatres, a close watch is necessary. Ordinarily, what is called “joy-riding” appears to be the motive for the removal of cars. It is a common occurrence for a person to commandeer a car, use it for the enjoyment of his companions, and leave the vehicle in another suburb. Thefts of cars are rare, and there are few instances where cars have not been traced. Sometimes machines are carelessly used, and the owner is often faced with a considerable bill for repairs. The practice of commandeering cars is especially difficult to prevent, and . there have been recent cases where vehicles have been boldly removed, from private garages. Regarding the theft of cars, a circumstance which has caused the police ;concem in the peat has been the practice of removing cars and “stripping” them of equipment. In some cases there apparently has been no intent to convert the cars to use, but only intention to remove tools, tyres and equipment which may be disposed of. In the past year thefts of equipment have been not uncommon, but convictions were recently obtained by the police in regard to certain persons, and the' difficulty is considered to have been , reduced to a minimum. The taking of a car simply for its equipment is now- regarded as a rare circumstance.