IMPUDENT TRICKSTER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20650, 23 August 1930, Page 3 (Supplement)

IMPUDENT TRICKSTER.

FRAUDS ON THE POLICE.

" SILLY ASS " AND HIS WAYS. A king among confidence tricksters, who has had the audacity to defraud quite a number of police officers, was one of England's most wanted criminals not long, ago. For a few weeks he had been casually walking into police stations to report the loss of his wallet, containing practically all his cash. The man was quite, willing 'to admit that he is an " awful ass " to have had it stolen. Also, he joked about spending the night in the cells or the workhouso, since he had not been left enough by the pickpocket to enable him to reach his home in the country. So the kindly policemen in the station subscribe the fare for the " silly ass," who passes on to another station close by for his next coup. He had also been visiting fire-stations on a similar errand and inspired confidence at once by introing himself as a member of a provincial brigade and by discussing fire-fighting in the language of an expert. Nearly 50 policemen would know the man again and are anxious to identify him. A lot of firemen want to show him the business end of a hose.

The wanted man is nearly 6ft. in height, well-built, well-dressed, well-spoken—and, well, one 'Of the most agreeable asses the police have met.