Robbery Under Arms.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXII, Issue 6484, 1 February 1905, Page 3

Robbery Under Arms.

JEWELLER'S SHOP HELD UP IN THE DAYLIGHT.

AN EXCITING CHASE.

CELLED WITH A LUMP OF COAL,

Oheißtohuech, Jan 31 A remarkably audacious attempt at robbery under arms ocourred m the city this afternoon, Mr G. T. White's jeweller's shop, Colombo street, being the scene of an extraordinary affair. During the afternoon the assistants m the shop noticed a man hanging about outBide, and at about half-past 3 o'clock he entered the shop.. Mr White, junr., prepared to serve him, and was surprised to see the visitor produce a rovolver, at the same time issuing the command "Hands up." Mr Edser, who was also m the Bhop, was at once covered, and received the same command. Both assistants smiled, taking the affair aa a joko, but the visitor soon showed that he was m earnest, and the hands had to go up. Master of the situation, he calmly helped himself to the contents of the till, some .£3 or £A, and was investigating some gold watches when Mr White, senr, looked m from the back of the premises. He retired quickly to seek assistance, and just then a female customer opened the door, which the robber had carefully closed behind him on entering. - „ The robber then made oft m Colombo Street, the assistants quickly giving chase, and the people m the vicinity joining m. Their quarry ran along Colombo and Gloucester streets through the "Lyttelton Times" right-of-way and Cathedral Square into Worcester street where he sought refuge. A large crowd had gathered, and soon routed him out from a tool shed behind a door, but the revolver kept them at a respectful distance. The object of search passed on towards Gloucester street, and the pursuit was resumed, but two shots from the revolver, which fortunately had no effect, damped the ardour of many m the chase. The man reached Manchester street, but here again a halt was called, the quarry turning and firing at a man named John Gruthrie, the bullet grazing j !his left arm. After going north as far as | the river, the robber headed towards the Foresters' Hotel, and jumping the tence was lost to sight m the building at the back, though his presence was made known by another shot. Detective Ward and Bishop at last ran him to earth m a small shed near the hotel, but their demands to surrender were met by more flourishing of the revolver From a small window at the back of the shed Detective Ward was able to knock the man.down with a piece of coal, and he was secured and romoved to the police station that is Australia the crowd would have cheered instead of hooted him. He had Sently thrown away the proceeds of his robbery during his Eight, as escept the S and cartridges little was found on was also accused by the detectives S^eMt^S stolen property could be found.