SCHOOLBOY STALKS A “RAFFLES.”

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8875, 27 July 1907, Page 4

SCHOOLBOY STALKS A “RAFFLES.”

The author of more than 4CO flatrobhories in New York was cliscovered on May Slstdu the person of a rosv-cheeked, studious-looking youtli 'of polished maimers, who gives the fictitious name of George Simpson. According to the detectives, Simpson assumed more disguises than ever were used by M. Leeoq. His methods were simplicity itself. Every day he would ring tne bell of various flats, representing himself as an insurance agent. If a bell remained unanswered, proving that the family were out, Simpson would force tiie door and quick'y riflo the domicile of its jewellery. In this way he frequently robbed six to a dozen flats in a single street in one afternoon. In one street several inhabitants took refuge in hotels as the sole moans of escaping the attentions of the “dude burglar.” who, the police estimate, succeeded in getting over £IO,COO as tne result of his two mouth’s campaign. He was finally run to earth by the cun ring of a schoolboy who saw him rifle his mother’s jewellery box. Instead of raising an immediate alarm, the boy watched him enter another flat in the same street. It was his last robbery, for, as the thief left tiie seco rd house, the boy, espying a policeman, gave him in charge. When brought to the police station he refused to reveal his identity, saying that he came from a prominent and wealthy family in a Southern State, which had cast him off, but on which ha would not bring disgrace.