DARING ROBBERY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11538, 24 November 1900, Page 2 (Supplement)

DARING ROBBERY.

BANK MANAGER ATTACKED BY A THIEF. .; ' • A sensational affair has occurred at Scarborough. A customer on entering the South Cliff branch of the York City and County Bank found the manager lying unconscious on the floor, having evidently been wounded on the head. Dr. Godfrey was summoned, and after examining the injured man ordered that he should be kept perfectly quiet. Some time ago a daring robbery was committed at the manager's house, adjoining the bank, a quantity of silver-plate being taken from the dining-room durjng the afternoon. No trace was found of the thief. Whoever the assailant was, he had timed his visit on this occasion so accurately that no one was with the manager at the time, his assistants having gone to lunch. The following is the official statement issued by the bank officials: " A customer on entering the branch bank of the York City and County Banking Company (Limited) on the South Cliff, Scarborough, at one o'clock, found Mr. Edward Crosby, the manager, lying unconscious behind the counter, apparently from a wound on the head with an ash stick, which was found upon the bank counter. No serious results are anticipated. The assailant had evidently watched his opportunity, and having helped himself to the money immediately within reach had decamped. -The matter was placed in the hands of the police within a few minutes of its occurrence, and they are investigating the circumstances." It is not known how much was stolen. This cannot be told until the manager is well enough to balance. The affair has created a great sensation, Mr. Crosby being well known and prominently associated with many local institutions. Mr. Crosby has sufficiently recovered to explain that at the time he was struck he was engaged with his books. His forehead is much bruised, and he is still unable to say more about his assailant except that ho was too well dressed to be a tramp. Gold and notes are missing from the till, which was open, and was probably reached by leaning over the counter. The safe was also open, and contained a considerable sum, but the thief evidently did not venture behind the counter.