A BAREFACED ROBBERY

Otago Witness, Issue 3610, 22 May 1923, Page 19

A BAREFACED ROBBERY

SENSATION IN MELBOURNE. MELBOURNE, May 15. A daring robbery involving the loss ot £2750 in notes and silver was committed at the Spencer Street Railway Offices during the busy part of the morning. The money, which was intended to pay the employees’ wages, was carried in <; bag by two clerks from the basement to the office and placed on the counter in charge of one clerk while the other left for a few minutes. A man with a re volver in his hand, who was amongst the crowd in the office, darted forward, and, flinging pepper in tire clerk's face, seized the bag and ran along the passage, followed by a confederate. A porter at the main door, and another employee, attempted to stop them, but the thief levelled his revolver and threatened to shoot both men. He then jumped on a motor car and disappeared at lrign speed after nearly overturning through colliding with an electric light standard and a team of horses. The car was later found abandoned in South Melbourne. May 16. Frederick Daniels, the motor driver who is alleged to have driven the car n which the Spencer street robbers escaped, has been arrested. He states that ne was compelled at the revolver point to drive them. May 17. Frederick Daniels, who has been ar rested in connection with the robbery on Tuesday, states that he motored one man to the* Spencer street station, which he entered. While Daniels was waiting __another man appeared and said: “Keep your engine going and when a man comes out go for your life or you will get your brains blown out.” The other man returned with a bag and jumped in and said, pointing his revolver at Daniels, “Go for your life. ’ After being driven a considerable dis tance the man left the car, which Daniels then drove home. The Railway Commissioners are offering a reward of £SOO for the conviction of the robbers.