VICTORIAN BANK ROBBERIES.

Kumara Times, Issue 2730, 22 June 1885, Page 2

VICTORIAN BANK ROBBERIES.

SIMPSON’S ROAD NATIONAL BANK ROBBERY. An extraordinary robbery took place at the National Bank, Simpson’s road on the morning of Wednesday, June 3.’ It caused considerable excitement in the city, and many and various rumors were abroad as to the people having been seen about, but. the most important information was furnished by Mr Stuart, a Presbyterian clergyman, who said that shortly after ten on Wednesday morning he saw a cart standing at the corner of the street, not far from the gate leading into the back of the Bank. Just as he approached, three men emerged from the gate, each carrying a bundle, which was thrown into the cart. The men attempted to escape observation by keeping their heads down. The following announcement has been issued by the Bank “ A reward of £3OO will be given for such information as will lead to the conviction of the three men who robbed the National Bank ; £IOO on the conviction of any one of them, and a further sum of £250 will be given for the recovery of the whole amount of the stolen money, or for a proportionate amount a lesser sum, if restored.” An important discovery was made known to the police on Thursday night, which gave the detectives a strong clue. Three canvas bags were found in Studley Park. Black trackers were sent for, but heavy rain having fallen through the night it was impossible to trace them. Three hours later a gardener at Kew informed the police that he had seen three men near the gully. On search being made the police were rewarded by finding a knife and tobacco, also proof abundant that the men returned to town instead of going up country. With these clues, and the description of the men and horse and cart, the police on Saturday arrested Joseph Yales, laborer, in a house of ill-fame. The girls were also taken. On Yates was found two £5 notes, and under the mattresses of a bed five sovereigns and thirty-six halfsovereigns were discovered. The police also arrested two men and two women in Spring street, and at a house in' Sandridge two habitual criminals, M'Mahon and Miller, were taken with twenty-three pounds in gold and ten £1 notes. Masks were found, and the horse and cart, which was identified by the Rev. Mr Stuart. Another man, Dunlevy, has been arrested and identified as the man who drove tho cart. All the prisoners were brought up at the Oily Court and remanded for further evidence. Some confession has been made, as the police have unearthed part of the treasure, comprising two hundred pounds in notes and' some silver. HOBS MAM BANK ROBBERY. In connection with the arrests of Smith and Ross fir (he Horsham Bank jobbery, Ross, who is not suspected of hsing tactually concernsd in the robbery

turned Queen’s evidence. The case opened at Horsham on Friday. It sippears a clue was got by Smith paying into the Union Bank of Melbourne thirty-six ten-pound notes of the London Chartered Bank, which were earthstained. He succeeded in getting a draft on Albury for the amount, wheie he got the money, and arranged with Ross to select laud, handing over money to Ross, who, however banked it. Some time afterwards the police, who have been keeping an eye on Smith, arrested them both. At the trial the evidence proved that Smith previous to the discovery of the robbery, had been paving cheques and notes other than the Chartered Bank notes, which showed the Treasury had been tampered with already. When at Albury both Smith and Ross changed thennames. Smith wus committed for trial at the next session, on the bth September.