ROBBERY UNDER ARMS

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1368, 1 February 1905, Page 2

ROBBERY UNDER ARMS

SENSATION IN CHRISTCHURCH. JEWELLER’S SHOP ROBBED BY ARM ED THIEF, EXCITING CHASE AND CAPTURE Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, last night. A remarkable audacious attempt at robbety under arms occurred in the city this afternoon, Mr G. T. White’s jeweller’s shop, Colombo; sliced, being the scene of the extra-, ordinary affair. During the afternoon the assistants in the shop noticed a man hanging about outside, and about half-past three he entered the shop. Mr White, jun., prepared to serve him, and was surprised to see the visitor produce a revolver, at the •same time issuing the command— Hands u,p !”■ THOUGHT IT A LITTLE JOKE.

Mr Edser, who was also in the shop, was at once covered, and received the same command, “ Hands uj) !”

Both assistants smiled, taking the affair as a joke. But the visitor soon showed that lie was in earnest, and their hands had to go up. CALMLY HELPED HIMSELF. The matter of the situation calmly helped himself to the contents of the till—some three or four pounds;—‘and was investigating some gold watches when Mr White, sen., looked in from the back of the premises. QUICKLY RETIRES AND LADY. S CARES * ROB BER. Mr White retired quickly, to seek ■assistance, and just then a lady, customer opened the door, Which the robber had carefully closed behind him. On the lady entering, the robber made oil into Colombo street. AN EXCITING CHASE. The assistants quickly gave chase, and people in the vicinity joined in. The quarry ran along Colombo and Gloucester streets, thnojugh the Lyttelton Times right-of-way and Cathedral Square, into Worcester street,’ where he sought refuge.

■HIS REVOLVER KEEPS BACK THE CROWD,

A ! large crowd gathered, and soon roused him out from a toolshed behind the door.

But the revolver kept them at a respectful distance. PURSUIT RESUMED. The object of the search passed on towards Gloucester street, and tho pursuit was resumed, hut two shots from the revolver—which fortunately had na serious effect—damped the ardour of many. - MORE BULLETS FIRED. The chase reached Manchester, street. But here again a halt, was called, the quarry turning and firing at a man named John Guthrie, the bullet grazing that individual’s left arm. LOST TO SIGHT. BUT ANOTHER SHOT FIRED. After going north as> far as the river, the robber headed towards the Foresters’ Hotel, and jumping a fence, was lost to sight at the hack, though his presence was made kn,own by another shot. BROUGHT TO BAY,

Detectives Ward and. Bishop ran hiy to earth in a small shed near the hotel, hut their ’demands for him to surrender were met by more flourishing of the revolver from a small window at the back of the shed. CAPTURED BY DETECTIVE AND HOOTED BY CROWD.

Detective War’d was able to knock the man down with a piece of coal, and he was secured and removed to the police station ■ amid the hooting or the crowd. . THIEF PROUD OF EXPLOIT.

He gave his: name as Philip White, and stated that lie was- an 'Australian.

He seemed rather proud of the exploit, and told the plice that Sin, Australia the crowd would have cheered* instead of hooting.. He had evidently thrown away the proceeds of the robbery during the flight, as the revolver and cartridges* little was found on him, OTHER ROBBERIES,

He was charged also with having recently; broken info F. T. Riimell’s Jeweller’s snog, Manchester street, and Dr Manning’s residence, and he admitted the thefts, indicating where the stolen property, c-Ojuld ho found.;