CLEVER THIEVING.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2611, 3 August 1881, Page 3

CLEVER THIEVING.

With that love of natural novelty and aptitude for dicsovering it which is one of the most pleasing characteristics of o ur Translantic kinsmen, the New York

thief has just invented a new form of robbery which, in the interests of the unprotected public, especially com mends itself to notice. According to a number of cases recently tried in the police courts of that city, the “ drop trick ” for that is the name of the new idea is practised sas follows :—Two men acting in concert visit a bank, one remaining at the door to secure at any moment a means of speedy exit for his friend. That friend Inrks about, apparently busy waiting cheques or credit notes, until he sees an infirm person in the act of receiving alarge bag of money or bundle of notes. Then is the moment of action. Walking quickly up to the feeble one, he drops a piece of paper at his feet, and draws his attention to it as something that has just fallen. Not suspecting the trick, the victim stoops to pick up the piece of paper off the floor, when the rogue siezes the money on the counter and makes a dash for the door. It is said that this scheme has proved an eminently lucrative one for the thieves, and as it may possibly bo copied in England, it will be as well that the public here should be put upon its guard.