DRESS FOR STOLEN GOODS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9383, 1 March 1909, Page 6

DRESS FOR STOLEN GOODS.

A wonderful dress, specially designed with capacious packets, was produced at Marylebone Police Court lately, as against, three suspects arrested ou the opening day of the annual winter sale at William Whiteley’s. Ltd., Westbourne Grove. The accused were three respectablelooking women, described as Elizabeth West, Margaret Smith, and Margaret Morris, but they refused to give their places of abode. They were charged with being concerned together in stealing and receiving a fur necklet and a silk blouse, value £4, belonging to the company. Mr William .Olapperton. eub- , manager in the employment of the company, identified the articles, and - explained that they were taken from a corner counter at 39, Westhonrne Grove, where they had been placed to be marked prior to being put out > for sale. Detective-Sergeant Barnaby, Fdivisiou, said that about two o’clock in the afternoon he noticed the three « women loitering near the oonnter. Their movements were suspicious, so, divesting himself of his coat and hat in order that he mighc appear like one of the shop assistants, he kept them unoer special observation. They passed from 39 into 41 and 43, Westbourne Grove, but returned to 89, and went up to the same counter. All three pushed against it, and while so doing the woman Smith pulled the fur necklet from underneath a sort of shelf and passed it to Morris. At that time Morris had three blouses on her arm, and he distinctly saw her open her jacket and slip the silk blouse (produced) and the fur necklet into a large false pocket. Prisoners then harried oat of the department, said the officer, and separated, but by being quick iu his movements he was able to arrest them all, and took them, with assistance, to the station. Emily Markham, matron at the Paddington Green police station, produced the necklet and blouse, which she said were found on Morris, and also produced a blue skirt, which she said Smith was wearing when arrested. Attached to the skirt by a number of safety pins was a most capacious pocket extending round the whole of its circumference. Both Smith and Morris were wearing ordinary skirts,. she said, in addition to the extraordinary ones produced, and apparently things were passed into the pockets of the latter through slits made in the former. Mr Paul Taylor, on. having, the extensive pocket in the blue skirt pointed out to him, exclaimed, “Oh, dear me! Yes, it is very capacious.” ‘ Accused were remanded.