A NEAT SWINDLE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2644, 22 June 1889, Page 2 (Supplement)

A NEAT SWINDLE.

Qimtk the latest and neatest thing in swindling has, says thu London coi respondent of a Dublin paper, just been perpetrator! in Ox fori! street. The other clay a stylish-dressed man entered a wellknown business establishment, and asked to be shown a variety of expensive goods. He chose a number with considerable care and they were wrapped up, the assistant putting the usual question, " Will you take them with you or shall we send them ?" The customer paused a moment threw away the end of a cigarette, and remarked carelessly that he thought he would leave the articles to be forwarded. Then, with lightning rapidity, he snatched the parcel from the counter, and darted off towards the door. A cry was raised, and two assistants made a bolt after the runaway overtaking him before he had time to get out of the shop. He was brought back, and the manager huritod into the street for a policeman. Happily a stalwart officer stood almost on the tines' old of the door. The matter was explained to him, and the officer entered the shop, and, after putting a few pertinent questions, took the thief into custody Then, picking up the stolen parcel of goods, he remarked to the manager, " Come up to the station as soon as you are ready, and prefer the charge in the usual manner." Seizing his prisoner by the arm, the burly otlleer disappeared among tho Oxford-street throng. Shortly afterwards the manager, having donned hia walking out coat and hat, set out hurriedly for the police station as directed. To his amazement he discovered ou arriving there that no prisoner had been brought on a charge of committing a robbery at his establishment. He waited, thinking there might have been some unexpected street delay, but the thief he had given in charge and his custodian failed to put in an appearance. Gradually it dawned upon the manager that the whole affair was a skilful ruse ; and so it turned out to Ve. The supposed policeman to whom the thief had been handed over was in reality, a confederate who had assumed a constable's attire, and " platited' - himself outside the Oxfordstreet shop immediately after the other man entered it.