CLEVER CAPTURE AND ESCAPE OF A BURGLAR.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 433, 19 December 1868, Page 2

CLEVER CAPTURE AND ESCAPE OF A BURGLAR.

Yesterday we reported the smart arrest of a man who had committed a burglary in Wanganui, and who had arrived in Westpott by the steamer Wallabi. To-day we have to record his as smart escape from custody. On account of hie evidently bad character, it is to be hoped we shall soon have to chronicle his re-capture and conviction. His name is John Williams or Jones. He is charged with stealing a gross of meerschaum pipes, gold watches and chains, jewelry, opera glasses, and other goods, besides money, from the shop of Mr Gregory "Waller, Wanganui, which was burglariously entered while the owner of the property was on duty at the Front. He came to Westport by the Wallabi. By the John Penn there followed a gentleman named, we believe, Villiers. He gave intimation to Detective Lambert, and in a very short time the person answering the description was arrested. He had been staying at the National Hotel, and, on his room being shown to the detective, there was found beneath the bed a sack containing a large amount of valuable property—the property which had been stolen, and, along with it, a number of pick-locks and skeleton keys. Williams was to have been brought up at the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, but he anticipated his probable fate at the hands of the law by making bis escape as cleverly as his arrest had been effected. At the lock-up, in the morning, he had washed and performed other requisites of the toilet under the supervision of one of the constables, and, when prepared for an appearance before the Magistrate, he requested to see the Inspector of Police. The constable turned towards the Inspector's room to convey the request, when Williams " bolted " by the side-door of the Police Depot, and was out of sight in a few seconds. Immediate and active search was made for him by the police, in the town and through the bush, under a drenching rain, but up to last night he had not been recaptured. It is to be hoped, however, that a character so dangerous as he is supposed to be will be harbored by no one, and that he will not long elude the police. He had evidently come prepared for the exercise of his avocation in Westport, and it is found that the keys in his possession will open many of the business premises in the town. He is a man apparently between forty and forty-five years of age, from sft to sft 2in in height, of a stout or " set" build, of fresh complexion, and with a grizzly grey beard ala brosse, worn " all round." His dress consisted of a light-colored felt hat, a bluish sac coat, and tweed trowsers. He speaks fluently, and has the air of a quiet " respectable " man. He was not previously " known to the police," but it is to be hoped they will soon renew the acquaintance.