YOUTH’S CRIMES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17045, 2 September 1929, Page 5

YOUTH’S CRIMES

DRESSED AS WOMAN ROBS MANY HOUSES MELBOURNE, July 31. A remarkablo story of a young man’s masquerade as a woman was revealed to-dav when the police visited a house in Coburg, and arrested a youth on a charge of housebreaking and stealing. The youth, who is 17 years of age, escaped from the Home for Delinquent Boys at Royal Park some months ago, and avoided capture. Suspicion that thefts from houses were being committed in Coburg by a female impersonator were aroused when a Brunswick resident reported that she had seen a stylishly-dressed voting woman loitering near her homo shortly before it was robbed. Other householders also reported having chased a young woman from their houses, and they were amazed to see her agility botli when running and when vaulting fences and gates. The police found the youth in bed this morning. Ah extensive wardrobe of women’s clothing, including stylish hats and silk stockings, was found in the bedroom. There was also a woman’s hat, with a wig of brown hair sewn into the cro\vn.

Tlm youth is about sft, Gin tall, and has somewhat feminine features. The police allege that in guise of a woman .he was responsible for 30 thefts front houses of goods valued at £l5O. Clothing found in his room was valued at £SO, The masquerading young man easily obtained the confidence of householders, and was taken in at some places as a lodger. When lie left, some of the clothes of the householder were missed. In some homes tlm deception was so complete that householders allowed hint to share rooms with girls. A great deal of women’s underclothing was stolen from houses where the youth stayed for brief periods. At tlm Coburg wn tollhouse the youth was charged with housebreaking and stealing. The case will Ije heard in the Children’s Court.