THEFT ON STEAMER

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 19091, 25 January 1932, Page 4

THEFT ON STEAMER

WOMAN LOSES MONEY AND JEWELLERY. By Telegraph— Press Association AUCKLAND, January 23. A daring theft, involving approximately £SOO of money and jewellery, is reported by an American woman passenger, Mrs L. U. Strait, on the Sierra, which reached Auckland to-day from Sydney. The goods comprise a diamond brooch and ring, a cheque for 100 dollars, £2O in Australian notes, steamer tickets, passport, etc. Detectives boarded the ship, and questioned Mrs Strait for two hours, while Customs men rigidly scrutinised all luggage. The time of the theft was not established. but the police and ship’s officers believe it occurred within a few minutes of the ship leaving the Sydney wharf. Mrs Strait says she had the money and jewellery in her handbag, which she put under her pillow, while farewelling friends in the cabin. When the gong sounded, for nonpassengers to leave, she walked along the deck with her husband, and returned within five minutes for the bag, which was gone. The theory is that the thief disposed of the bag to a confederate on the wharf before leaving the ship himself. “He must have been a pretty slick expert,” said Mrs Strait. The jewellery was insured for £360.