SENSATIONAL ROBBERY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 236, 3 October 1894, Page 2

SENSATIONAL ROBBERY.

A MAN-ILL-USED AND DRUGGED BY %, THREE ■ ALLEGED DIAMOND^

:-"■MERCHANTS. «» . . ■ . ■

ESCAPE OF THE CRIMINALS."' "

(FROM THE AUSTRALIAN STAR.)

London, September 14. A great diamond robbery of a most daring and sensational nature ie now being investigated by the police. The occurrence took place ab Hatton Garden, and the victim of a well-planned-plot was a Dutchman named Spiers, .:_; . ; " ct; ; The story of the robbery, as told by ■Spiers, and from other particulars gathered by the police is thab three well-dressed foreigners, who had engaged rooms at Hatton Garden by wire, took up their quarters there, and represented themselves as wealthy diamond merchants. Spiers became! acquainted with the'facb of their presence, and learning that they were in queab of certain particular diamonds proceeded to their rooms,, taking, the. jewels with him, in the hope of doing business. He carried the precious stoaes, valued at £500, in a pockeb book, and upon arrival informed the alleged merchants of his errand. They invited. him inside, and once there proceeded to relieve him of the jewels. A violent struggle ensued, but with the aid of chloroform the Dutchman was overcome. The thieves secured the diamonds and took to flight.

The first intimation of the robbery was obtained through bhe finding of Spiers on thepavemonb, wltere he'had been left badly injured by his assailants. His face was covered with blood, which flowed freely from the wounds in his head. He, however, coon recovered sufficiently to give an account of the robbery, and a description of his assailants, who have so far succeeded in evading the police. The . robbery has created a great sensation.