ST. MARK'S CHURCH ROBBERY

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2174, 12 June 1914, Page 5

ST. MARK'S CHURCH ROBBERY

ALMS-BOX RIFLED;

Somo time during Wednesday night ot. Mark's Church, Sussex Square, was ontc-rod, and tho contents of. the alms collection-boxes removed. On going to the church at 9 o'clock yesterday morning, tho vicar (Rev. C. 1 , . Askew) discovered the vestry uoor wido open, and, on ■entering tho* building, was surprised to find, a large brass rod. from the lectern, lyirtg on tho mat in the aisle. Further investigation disclosed tbe fact that the rod had been wrenched from the lectern, and used as a battering-ram to open tho colleotionboxo3. As it happened, however, tho booty obtained ,was not very great. Tho boxes had been cleared on tho previous Sunday, nnd their contents at tho time of tho jobbery amounted to only a f<Sw shillings. Circumstances seem to indicate that tho desecration of the church was the work of two mon who had been seon in

tho vicinity at about 9 o'clock on the

previous evening. A mooting was being hold in tho Sunday Schoolroom, adjac- ' ent to tho main building, and when somo of those present had occasion to Co from the schoolroom -to tho church they surprised two somewhat suspiciousjooking individuals who woro prowling in the vicinity of tho vestry. Tho two mon immediately made off, eluding sonio small attempt which was mado tofolloiv thorn. Tho police were communicate'l with, and a reply received that the authorities had already had warning that Kont Terraco and St. Peter's Churches ivoro.to be broken into. It seems that tho intruders gainod entrance by tho vestry-door, the lock, of which had boon■temporarily removed for repairs. ,