MIDNIGHT MARAUDERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2173, 24 April 1908, Page 2

MIDNIGHT MARAUDERS.

AVAERENG A -A-lIIKA STORE ENTERED.

Nows roached town early yesterday morning that Mr. R. Colebrook’s storo at AA’aoronga-a-hika had been burglariously entered, -and cash and cheques to tho valuo of £6O stolen. Homo dood boxes and trust moneys were also removed.

From what can bo gathered, it appears that Air. Colobrook retired to bed on AVednesday night as usual, having seen everything safo before doing so. Ho was sleeping in a room off tho verandah of ins house, which adjoins the store, and tho thief must liavo obtained his clothes from tho room whilo Air. Colobrook was asleep, and abstracted tho keys of tho -shop .and the safo. Tho first intimation of anything unusual was given to Mr. Colobrook when his clothes wore found on tho verandah yesterday morning, and examination at once showed that the back door of tho shop hat| been broken opon. AA’hy this was done is unaccountable, as tho thief had possession of tho keys. A spado, which had been loft in the garden on tho preceding day, was found near tho door, anil insido the shop a crowbar, which had also been, in uso about the premises in the day time, was found.

Nothing seems to have been taken or disturbed insido tho shop except tho contents of tho safo. Air. Colebrook is posjtivo that ho locked the safe prior to shutting up, his shop, and, when spoken to last night, emphatically denied a statement which has been made that the safe was loft unlocked.

The affair is most mysterious, and has caused a sensation in the usually placid district of AATierenga-a-hika, and a feeling of uneasiness prevails amongst the settlers in tho vicinity. Tho police were informed of the occurrence early, and Detective Rawle went out to- investigate, but so far it is understood there is no definite clue to the identity of the offender.