"Human Fly" Allows Thieves into Department Store, Jan. 19, 1925

Thieves Enter Big Department Store. . . Goods Valued at $500 Missing—Human Fly Stunt Puts Robbers in Easy Way for Entrance—Something Missing from Practically Every Department—Advertising Manager Willing to Exchange or Refund on Unsatisfactory Loot. . . No Arrests Have Been Made

Local police have been unable to locate thieves who entered R.D. Caldwell & Son’s department store Thursday night and made away with merchandise valued at approximately $500.

Articles missed consisted of men’s clothing, women’s clothing, two shotguns, cartridges, hair clippers, overalls, flashlights, pocket knives, cigarettes and fruit. The stock was not damaged and only a slight derangement was noted.

Entrance to the large store was made by the thieves pulling a human fly stunt, scaling the rear wall without the aid of a ladder. Once on top of the roof of the grocery department, which is one story, it was easy to open a window into the second floor of the hardware department. The screen wire was cut, and one pane taken out. The exit was made through the double door of the men’s clothing department, which opens on Third Street. This door was left open, and the discovery of the robbery was made by Night Policeman J.B. Boyle, who, with Officer Ed. J. Glover, went to work on the case at once. A pair of shoes was found where the thieves started to make their entrance by scaling the wall.

Mr. Richard Norment, advertising manager for the firm, stated Friday that he would gladly make any exchanges or refunds on any of the articles taken that didn’t prove entirely satisfactory.

From the front page of The Robesonian, Lumberton, N.C., Monday, January 19, 1925.

newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn84026483/1925-01-19/ed-1/seq-1/