A Series of Bold Swind

Manawatu Herald, 25 August 1898, Page 2

A Series of Bold Swind

AN ALLEGED FORGER CAPTUREJ, The successful perpetration of a number of swindles by an allegedly very clever individual, who was recently released from the Terrace Gaol, has been brought under our notice. He adopted the old familiar plan of issuing valueless cheques in payment of goods procured trom sundry shopkeepers, receiving a substantial sum in cash over and above the value of the articles purchased. The facts are that the man in question, George Coleman by name, secured a cheque-book from a bank at the Hutt. How be did so is not clear, but we believe he presented an order for a book, and was accommodated. He then proceeded to Petone, where he patronised two establishments. At one he purchased an article, and drawing out his book wrote a cheque for £6, signing the name of Burt. He received the stir, plus change, and visited another shop, where a similar process was gone through, but in this case we under* stand that the amount was £4, and he again received a considerable sum over and above the value of the article purchased. Thus set up financially Coleman came to the city. His success emboldened him to make more ambitious efforts to increase the bulk of his pocket-book. Strolling in to Te Aro House he asked in the most bland manner possible to be shown some carpets. After critically examining a number submitted to him he selected one which cost £14. Out came the cheque-book again, the carpet-fancier this time making the amount £62. The shopman stared at the document, but the nature of. the purchase disarmed suspicion, and the difference, £48, was handed over. Coleman is then alleged to have viewed the establishment of Kircaldie and Stains, where he purchased a suit of clothes and other little articles of attire that go to enhance one's personal appearance. The parcel only amounted to a few pounds, but Coleman is alleged to A have presented a cheque for £32 oi^ thereabouts, again receiving the change. This concluded his operations, so far as we can ascertain. Proceeding to the shop of a local chemist he procured a quantity of dyes, and — then the police began to investigate his operations. He knew it and laid a very clever plan to'get away. Taking the' train for jGhnsonville he stayed there, and took a- ticket out for Palmerston North. But he did not go to that place, returning to Wellington in the evening. Next morning Coleman proceeded to Shannon, and coached it to Foxton. The Waverly happened to be going to Westport, and he took passage. Yesterday the sergeant of police there, although not sure, of his man, arrested Coleman. He had altered his appearance wonderfully but he could not alter his height, which < was the means of " giving him away." The prisoner is to be remanded to Wellington, and on arrival here will have a few charges to meet. He gave the police a tremendous amount of trouble, and it was at one time thought he had got clean away. — N.Z. Times