DESPERATE STRUGGLE WITH THIEVES AT SOUTHAMPTON.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11947, 22 January 1901, Page 7

DESPERATE STRUGGLE WITH THIEVES AT SOUTHAMPTON.

A remarkable burglary at a jeweller's shop was the subject of a preliminary investigation by the Southampton magistrates recently, when two men, named John Thompson, of 22 Jlell street, Liverpool, and John .Spencer, who said lie was a vanman, of Hammond street, London, were charged with breaking and entering tho shop of Messrs Stanhope and stealing a large number of watches. Forty-six were named on the sheet, as well as 16 gentlemen's chains, 23 ladies' chains, 16 gold gem rings, and many other valuable articles. Spencer was further charged with feloniously shooting Police-constable Churcher. The prisoners were remondod. It appears that the officer, being off duty, was walking through East street about 5 o'clock ou Sunday afternoon, and happened to notice that the door of Messrs Stanhope's shop was ajar. Knowing that it was a lock-up shop, he opened the door, and saw three men helping themselves behind tho counter. He went in and laid hold of 0110 of the threo men, and there was a struggle into tho street, whereon, as it was alleged, Spencer presented a revolver at his face. Churcher put up liis left hand and received a shot, which, passing through his hand, entered his cheek, lodging perilously near one of his eyes. He, however, stuck to his man, and a lady standing by tripped prisoner up. Then, with other assistance, the man -was taken, still in Churcher'e charge, td the St. Mary's Police Station, and the officer, whose face was streaming with blood, was then conveyed to the Koyal South Hants Infirmary, where lie remains under treatment. The three men were young and stylishly-dressed in frock coats and silk, hats. Thompson was arrested afterwards at the docks station, and declared ho knew nothing matter. The third man got away with a large quantity of valuable booty. Both prisoners had return railway tickets from Waterloo to Southampton in their possession. Mr Stanhope's manager estimates the value of the property not recovered at £2000. It Beems that an assistant ; lodges 011 tho premises, but he had gone for ; his afternoon walk when the burglary oc•curred. Tho wounded officer's plucky conduct is the subject of universal admiration,