UNDERGRADUATE’S BURGLARIES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2090, 27 May 1907, Page 1

UNDERGRADUATE’S BURGLARIES.

AMATEUR “RAFFLES”- WHOM NEWSPAPERS IGNORED.

The adventures of Raffles, the amateur cracksman, excited the emulation of Mr. Richard O. Hoopes, a student and the son of a wealthy barrister of Kokoma, Indiana. Mr. Hoopes varied his studies of psychology in Lake Forest College by indulging in the perusal of “Sherlock Holmes” and “The Iron Mask.” Gazing at the beautiful country houses in the vicinity of the college, the idea struck him that ho could equal, if not excel, Raffles. Accordingly, he broke college after midnight not long ago, aqd, armed with a complete set of burglary tools, entered the mansion of Mr. Chatfield Taylor. He came away with a whole satchel full of jewellery. But when he bought flip newspapers next day lie was intensely disappointed to find that they contained no account of the robbery. A week later, the imitator of Raffles “cracked” the residence of Mr. McGann, and cleared thousands of dollars’ worth of diamonds. Again the newspapers kept silence on the subject of liis feats.

So mortified was Mr. Hoopes that he penned a note to tjhc police; but on second thoughts destroyed it. Having no need of money, he made no attempt to dispose; of his loot until recently, when he offered a pawnbroker a £IOO ring for £2O. The pawnbro ker, who had a description of the missing gems, telephoned for the police, and tire college Raffles was) promptly arrested.