UNSUCCESSFUL BURGLARS

Taranaki Daily News, 10 February 1934, Page 6

UNSUCCESSFUL BURGLARS

HAUL OF TIMEPIECES ONLY SAFE RESISTS ALL ATTEMPTS. LARGE SUM OF MONEY UNTOUCHED WILKINSON’S PREMISES ENTERED. There was a large sum of money in the safe at the premises of Messrs. C. A. Wilkinson, Ltd., New Plymouth, when burglars visited the building late on Thursday evening or early yesterday. It was still there next morning, attempts to force the safe having failed. The burglars’ only known haul was five watches of an inexpensive variety and an alarm clock. On the other hand they may have removed goods valued at a good amount. The firm carries a considerable and varied stock displayed on its counters and show stands, and packed in boxes and other containers under the counters and on the shelves. Had the thieves removed an article of each of the many kinds in stock from the counters or boxes it would be. almost impossible to arrive at any idea of the missing goods. The fact that the firm takes stock only once a . year adds to the difficulty of making a correct estimate of the goods that may be missing. The work of breaking and entermg was obviously that of amateurs. They used jemmies on the safe without success and cut a hole in the rear door to slip the bar. The door they damaged beyond further use when entrance could have been effected without, leaving such obvious signs of their visitation through a window. A 6ft. high iron fence fronting on to Ariki Street at the rear of the firm’s premises had to be scaled to reach the door by which entry was effected.