POLITE THIEF

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23181, 29 October 1938, Page 2 (Supplement)

POLITE THIEF

Pickpocket's Clever Scheme to Rob St

SENTENCE of twelve months' imprisonment was passed at Marylebone, London, on a young traveller for robbing men of their wallets while removing a white, sticky mess which had mysteriously got on their clothing. John Myers, aged 24, traveller, of Shepherd's Bush, who was originally arrested on a charge of attempting to steal a wallet and contents from Sir George Lewis Barstow, was further charged with stealing wallets from Mr. James Jones, and from Mr. Stephen Humble.

PROSECUTING counsel, Mr. Christmas Humphreys, said the circumstances in each case were the same. Accused stopped gentlemen in the street, pointed out a white sticky mess on their clothing, and politely offered to clean it off. He then, under cover of a newspaper, or handkerchief, stole, or at-, tempted to steal, their wallets. Ho was arrested by Detective-Ser-geant Griffiths, who had observed his attempts to steal from Sir George liarstow, and lie had since been picked out by Mr. Jones and Mr. Humble as the man who had politely (relieved them of their wallets under similar circumstances. "There is no doubt that he has been doing this for some time," remarked Sergeant Griffiths. The magistrate, Mr. Griffith Jones, said that on September 14 he was walking down St. James' Street, when ac-

cused stopped him and remarked, "There is some very horrible stuff on your clothes." So saying, ho pulled round the tail of witness' coat for him to see. On it was a white, sticky stuff. "Come in here," accused said, "and I'll wipe it off." Tliev went into the entrance of a block of flats, and at accused's invitation lie took off his c6at. Ac.-used, hanging it on a hook in the doorway, and taking out a handkerchief, remarked, "It is all down your trouser leg as well; 1 can't get it off. I will go and buy something to get it off." He went away and did not return. Mr. Jones said ho then missed his wallet from his pocket. Accused: All J can say is it is a case of mistaken identity. 1 have never seen the man in my liie. Mr. Stephen Humble said accused stopped him about mid-day on September 1!) as he was leaving the Army and Navv Club in Frances Street. "Excuse me, sir,' he said, "but you have a fearful mess on the back of your jacket and your trousers." He offered to rub it off, and took witness lor that purpose into the entrance of some mansions. Eventually he remarked that it would not come off, and offered to get some turps. Returned Minus Money He went off ostensibly to get the turps, and as ho did not return witness became suspicious, clapped his hand to his pocket, and found his wallet gone. In it was £4 10s in notes, etc. Later the wallet, which contained his name and address, was returned to him through the post with the contents intact except the £'4 l()s. Accused denied all knowledge of Mr. Jones and Mr. Humble, and said that, seeing some stuff on Sir George Barstow's jacket, he acted out of politeness and handed him a piece of paper to wipe it off.