AN IMITATOR OF RAFFLES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8807, 8 May 1907, Page 4

AN IMITATOR OF RAFFLES.

New York, March 17. The adventures of Raffles, the amateur cracksman, excited the emulitiou of Mr Rocbard O. Hoopes, a student and the sou of a wealthy barrister of Kokoxna, Indiana. Mr Hoopes varied Ids study of psychology in Lake Forest College by indulging in the perusal of “Sherlock Holmes” and “The Iron Mask.” Gazing at the beautiful country bouses iu the vicinity of the college, the idea struck him that lie could equal, if not excel, Raffles. Accordinly he broke college after midnight, not long ago, and, armed with a complete set of burglary tools, entered the mansion of Mr Ohatfleld Tavlor. He came away with a whole sateholfull of jewellery. But when lie bought the newspapers next day, he 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 McGaun, and cleared thousands of dollars’ worth of diamonds. Again the newspapers kept silence on the subjects of his feats. So mortified was Mr Hoopes that he penned a note to the police, hut ou second thoughts destroyed it. Having no need of money he made no attempt to dispose of his loot un- * til yesterday, when he offered a pawnbroker a £IOO ring for £2O. The pawnbroker, who had a description of the missing gems, telephoned to the police, and, the college Raffles was promptly arrested.