DARING BANK ROBBERY NEAR MELBOURNE.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XVII, Issue 843, 9 June 1885, Page 3

DARING BANK ROBBERY NEAR MELBOURNE.

Melbourne, June 3. A most daring robbery was committed this morning about 10 o'clock at Simpson's road branch of the National Bank of Australasia, which had closed yesterday afternoon with no money on the premises. On the arrival of Mr Humphries, manager of the branch, accompanied by Mr Bradshaw, his clerk, from the chief establishment bearing £IOOO, both were attacked by three masked men, two of whom presented revolvers, whilst the third brandished a crowbar. Humphries and Bradshaw were overawed by the suddenness of the attack, and the threatening manner of the robbers. Both officials were knocked down, and their hands securely strapped behind their backs. The manager's revolver was then takfn from his person, and the robbers decamped with the £IOOO, leaving the victims lying helpless on the ground. Humphries and Bradshaw were subsequently released by a passer-by, and information of the robbery was immediately given to the police. The number of the notes stolen aiv not known. Later. The total amount taken by the robbers from the Simpson's road Bank officials is £1155, of which £955 was notes, and £IOO in gold, and the balance in silver. No clue has yet been discovered of the identity of the robbers. The numbers of the notes cannot be ascertained. June 4. Further particulars published to-day regarding the Simpson's road bank robbery show the affair to have been skilfully prepared and carried into execution. The robbers effected an entrance into the building through a window and awaited the arrival of the manager and his assistant inside the bank. The attack was so sudden that resistance was impossible on the part of the victims, who were gagged and bound hand and foot and placed under a table, where they were eventually discovered. ""The total proceeds of the robbery amount to £1165. A reward of £550 is offered by the National Bank of Australasia for such information as will lead to the arrest and conviction of the men who assaulted and robbed the officials. The police are actively prosecuting their investigations into the robbery, but up to the present have been unsuccessful in their endeavors to obtain a clue. June 5. Further particulars regarding the bank robbery show that the robbers were seen by some passers-by to leave the bank and drive off in a cart. Several money-bags have been found empty in Studley Park.