Arrest of Crabtree.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XX, Issue 2026, 4 February 1887, Page 2

Arrest of Crabtree.

A long sentenced prisoner named Crabtree, last Thursday morning escaped from Monut Cook gaol, at Wellington. Crabtree escaped from Lyttelton gaol aome three years ago, and was fired at and subsequently recaptured. Two years ago he made an attempt, but it was frustrated. The police could find no trace of him until Wednesday morning when Detective Campbell came across him at Wadestowu. When tbe man was only a few feet off, Detective Campbell suddenly faced him and said, “ You're tbe mac I want. “ What do you want me for ?” asked the other. Tbe detective replied, “You are Crabtree, the escaped convict, and I am Detective Campbell; aud you will have to go with me.” Upon this Crabtree immediately collapsed. lie dropped his hands despondently, and offered no resistance whatever. He was well dressed and upon him was found a quantity of jewellery which it is supposed he stole from tbe premises of Mr John Knowles of Sydney street, and who at present ia absent from Wellington. On the night preceding his escape Crabtree says he tried a good many times to get away, but each time saw someone either in the passage or in the vard at the back. At one time he was hiding behind a tin bath in the gaol yard when one of the warders happened to kick it with his foot. He acknowledges that a rope was thrown to him over the gaol wall from the ontaide, by means of which he effected his escape, but he declines to state who his cons federate was.