INGENIOUS CROOK

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 September 1939, Page 13

INGENIOUS CROOK

HARVEST OF WATCHES An ingenious crook made use of the presence of the British Guards, Royal Air Force and Bluejackets in Paris for France’s national fete day to turn many thousands of dishonest pennies, states a Paris correspondent of The People, London. Jewellers were the principal victims of this rogue, who is undoubtedly British, in spite of his fluency in French. He told a. convincing story of a Franco-British Committee . formed to provide souvenirs of the historic visit for all ranks taking part. For the officers gold watches oi high quality were desired and for the other ranks silver watches. All the goods were to be delivered to an • address supposed to be the office of the association on the day of the aiiiva of the different contingents, and the bills were to be paid by cheque two da vs later. The man’s credentials seemed so satisfactory that his story was believed, andCthe goods delivered. When the cheques were presented at the bank, it was found that the drawer was totally unknown, and the police were called in, but by that time the crook, who sig'ned. cheques “James .Robert Baxter,” had vacated his office and his hotel apartment.

It is the police belief that he made a quick “getaway” by air from Le Bourget, leaving to accomplices the task of disposing of the hundreds of watches he had obtained. As more than 20 jewellers were victimised and the number of watches obtained from each reached four figures, his haul must have been worth thousands of pounds. The police believe from the description furnished that he is a well-known international crook who has specialised in obtaining goods by means of “dud” cheques and has already been in their hands more than once.

Among the documents he produced to inspire confidence was one purporting to emanate from the British War Office, thanking his committee for its generous intentions.