CONFIDENTIAL SUPPLEMENT A No. 5. FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1927. VOL. XIV. RIGHT FOREFINGER PRINT UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED 6? 68 69 70 P| P2 CONFIDENTIAL No. 5. Supplement A THE POLICE GAZETTE FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1927. VOL. XIV. EXPERT AND TRAVELLING CRIMINALS. ( 17, Alexander Robb, aliases Arthur Wilson and George Wallace, C. R. O. No. 10- 1927. Description : B. ( Birmingham) 189.'!, oft. 1 Jin., c. fresh, h. brown, e. grey ( wears spectacles), scarl. eyebrow, back 1. hand and Ist I. finger. Sentenced at C. C. C., 17- 7- 1922, to (> and 3 yrs. pen. ( cone.) and I ~> strokes with the cat. for rohherv with violence and stealing a motor car Liberated on licence, 1- 2- 1927, into the M. P. I). Pre. con. of larceny and a minor offence at BLETCHLEY and on L, P and W. A clever and dangerous thief, member of a gang of violent criminals of whom he was the recognised leader. He arranged and engineered a number of serious robberies which were • • arri< vi out by moans of motor cars, the latter having been sroleu from garages < » i w hilst left unattended in the streets. Windows of jewellers' shops were smashed and jewellery seized Other premises were broken into and safes and money stolen. Any person who attempted to stop him was assaulted and escape was always effected by the stolen cars, which were generally abandoned in the street. On one occasion he escaped from custody while awaiting trial at Police Court. Method— ( i) With confederates waylaid a relieving officer who was returning to the Board of Guardians offices from a bank where he had been to collect a large sum of money for the pufpose of paying outdoor relief. Robb struck the officer a violent blow on the head and arm with a loaded stick, which rendered him partially unconscious. The bag was then snatched and escape effected by means of a stolen motor car, the identification mark of which had been altered. ( ii) Effected entrance to a garage by forcing the padlock off the door, and stole a motor cycle and side car. On another occasion forced the door and was about to take away a motor cycle and side car when he was disturbed by the owner, whom he struck with an iron bar, and escaped. Also while employed as an engineer at a garage, with confederates, at night, broke into the garage and stole three motor cars, broke open a safe and stole the contents. ( iii) Stole a motor car left unattended in the street. ( iv) With a confederate forced the door of an office, removed a safe containing money, etc., to the front door and when disturbed violently assaulted a man and escaped. 1Entered a shop during the absence of the proprietor and stole a case of cigarettes and tobacco. n) Stole property from his lodgings. Associates : Herbert John Reeves, Case No. 300.( Vol. XII.), Thomas Henry John Crawlev, Case No. 482 ( Vol. XI.) Alfred Edward Walker, C. R. O. No. 8190- 1914 Matthew Evans, C. R. O. No. 1951- 1921 ( with each of whom he has been convicted), John Frederick Lewis, C. R. O. No. 9339- 1921 ( now in prison); and Albert Davis, C. R. O. No. S/ 169661. The portrait is a fairly good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent history...^ L 08. Victor Smith, aliases Victor Gatenby, John Wilson, William Miles, William Smith and Victor Williams. C. R. O. No. 17679- 1917. Description : B. ( West Hartlepool) 1896, 5ft. 6| in., c. fresh, h. brown, e. blue, red raole 1. of neck, mole rt. cheek, scar 4th 1. finger, circus girl rt. forearm. Sentenced at C. L. S., 8- 1- 1924, to 4 yrs. pen. for larceny ( 4 cases). Liberated on licence 27- 1- 1927, into the M. P. D. Pre. con. of larceny, cyclestealing and housebreaking at CHATHAM- EAST GRTNSTEAD and on B, F and Y. Three other cases of a similar nature were taken into consideration when sentence was passed. A clever and persistent thief, who usually worked with a woman confederate. In the cases of larceny ( dwelling) the woman obtained situations as a domestic servant and at the first opportunity packed up everything of value, then admitted Smith, with whom she was in constant communica- tion and both absconded with the property. ( 1) With a woman confederate took furnished apartments at various hotels, and when unobserved stole jewellery from adjoining rooms and decamped. On another occasion engaged rooms and shortly afterwards carried in a portmanteau filled with rubbish, emptied the case, and at the first opportunity packed it with anything of value and absconded. ( ii) Wrote out false references with which the woman obtained situations, mostly as house parlour- maid. In one of these instances her mistress was decoyed from the house by a bogus telegram, which was found to have been sent by Smith. ( iii) Posed as a lieutenant in the Army, engaged a room at a hotel, where he was visited by a confederate who acted as orderly, and during the dinner hour entered the bedrooms of other guests and stole War bonds, valuable securities, jewellery, etc. ( iv) With a confederate took furnished rooms, broke into other parts of the house and stole property. ( v) Stole a bicycle left ^ unattended. Method- Disposed of property to receivers. Associates : Lily Smith, C. R. O. No. 8710- 1921, Henry Barker, C. R. O. No. S/ 77537; and Thomas Ray Coles, C. R. O. No. 23215- 1918, with each of whom he has been convicted. The portrait is a good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. 69. William Edward Roberts, aliases James Quinlan. William Wharton and Edward Fletcher, C. R. O. No. 2- 1925. Description : B. ( Liverpool), 1897, 5ft. 7Jin., c. fresh, h. dk. brown, e. grey, wart over rt. eye, mole 1. upper lip, horseshoe, Good Luck and swallow rt., pugilist 1. forearm. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Smart appearance, rather pleasant manner. Sentenced at Devon Sess., 7- 4- 1920, to 4. 4 and 4 mos. impt ( con « .) for laivenv. Liberated 5- 2- 1927, to Exeter. Pre. con. of larceny, false pretences, housebreaking, garagebreaking and minor offences at ISLINGTON, SEAFORTIL LYTHAM, LIVERPOOL. LEEDS, WATLINGTOX and KINGS BRIDGE. fllethod-- ( i) Called on a Roman Catholic priest who secured lodgings for him with working class people. Falsely stated he was about to obtain a situation as driver of a char- a- banc. In the meantime, was given work painting the interior of the house and during the temporary absence of the occupier stole jewellery, clothes, etc. On another occasion called on a priest and stated he was tramping to a certain town to see his mother and asked for lodgings. He was taken to a boarding house and later returned to the priest saying he had secured a situation as a kitchen hand but required money to purchase an apron and cap, was given money for that purpose, also borrowe I money from his land- lady and absconded. ( ii) Visited privincial towns and obtained sums of money from various people by telling a plausible jjk tale, such as that he was on leave from the army and that his father resided in a neighbouring J town and kept a large establishment with servants, etc.. but unfortunately his people were away on holiday ; that he had lost his purse ami was without money to enable him to return to his regiment. ( iii) Effeoted entrance to a dwelling house by forcing the kitchen door by bodily pressure, also during the night broke into a dwelling house and stole a cheque book and cheques, a number of postage stamps, jewellery, clothing, etc. On another occasion broke into an unoccupied bungalow. ( iv) With confederates, during the night, broke into a motor garage and attempted to steal a motor car. Associates: John Doran. C. R. O. No. 19776- 1919 ( now in prison); and George Hurst. C. K. O. No. 19719- 1919, with each of whom he has been convicted. Disposed of property to pawnbrokers. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent history Mar 7o. George Wilson, aliases George Smith, George Brady, Jack Clarke, Arthur Scott, George Brown, William Bums, William Scott, Charles Sheppard, John Wilson, George Bell and George William £ Smith, C. R. O. No. 533- 1901. Description : B. says ( London and Newcastle- oil- Tyne) 1854, 5ft. 2in., c. fresh, h. black ( turning grey), e. brown, nose inclines to rt., scar I. of forehead, rt. forearm and 1. hand. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Very plausible, thick set. Sentenced at Salford ( City) Pol. Ct., 9- 9- 1920, to 3 and 3 mos. impt. ( cons.) and £ 1 costs for larceny— trick and attempted larceny— trick. Liberated, 7- 2- 1927, to Manchester. Pre. con. of larceny and minor offences at STOCKTON, EDINBURGH, YORK, PONTEFRACT, LEICESTER, GLASGOW, SALFORD, AYR, DONCASTER, BIRMINGHAM, KINGSTON- ON- THAMES. TARPORLEY, SEAFORTH, SEABROOK and LOUGHBOROUGH. A racecourse thief and confidence trickster. Method— ( i) Visited a racecourse and entered into conversation with a person, represented he was well off and that he had a friend who received good information ; introduced the person to his friend, whom he described as the luckiest man that ever went on a racecourse, in fact, had never been known to back a loser. He then handed his confederate several Treasury notes to put on a horse and induced the aggrieved person to do likewise. The confederate then left with the money and did not return. On another occasion said his confederate was a steward to jockeys and ijt information was good, thus induced the aggrieved person to part with a sum of money. ( ii) Accosted persons on a racecourse and asked them the loan of a pencil. He then made a plausible statement to the effect that he could get a long price on the favourite in the silver ring, and then induced several victims to part with money, which he appropriated to his own use. ( iii) Entered a tobacconist's shop and whilst a confederate engaged the assistant in conversation stole a walking- stick. ( iv) Stole an overcoat from a vehicle on a racecourse. ( v) Stole money and other articles from persons on racecourses and other places. I Associates : John Brady, Case No. 287 ( Vol. X.); and William Jones, C. R. O. No. 20822- 1921, with each of whom he has been concerned. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent history.... ............ « ... 71. Francis Harry Taylor, C. R. O. No. 11410- 1921. Description : B. ( Reading) 1896, 5ft. 9in., c. fair, h. It. brown, e. hazel, second 1. finger deformed. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc, : Well educated and well spoken, smart appearance fond of the company of male prostitutes. Sentenced at Lambeth Pol. Ct. ( L.), 21- 7- 1926, to 3, 4 and 2 mos. impt. ( cons.) for obtaining money by false pretences ( 2 cases) and soliciting. Liberated, 7- 3- 1927, to Reading. Pre. con. of forgery, larceny, false pretences, indecent assault and a minor offence at STOCKPORT, SLOUGH and on E and L. A plausible swindler and a man of engaging personality. Was at one time employed as tutor at a grammar school but was dismissed for irregularities. He has on a number of occasions acted as scoutmaster and cubmaster for a new troop, but because of his indecent habits and dishonesty was dismissed. His name was also circularised in The Scouter as a warning to commissioners scoutmasters and others. He is considered a dangerous man amongst boys, having been convicted of indecent assault on a boy under 13 years of age. Method— ( i) Called on a clergyman who was assistant padre of Toe H., posed as the bursar of a large public school, stated he was'anxious to get his two wards into one of the Toe H. houses, said lie had left his money at home and asked for a loan, w hich he promised to repay next day. Was advanced the money but failed to return. ( ii) Obtained numerous sums of money from parents of boys who were at a certain grammar school. Represented himself to be the form master at the school. In some cases said he had been sent to purchase goods at a large stores and was temporarily short of cash, in others said he took a special interest in the parents' boys and thus inspired confidence. ( iii) By posing as the bursar as in ( i) he promised a youth the assistant bursarship, took him to various parts of London and made indecent suggestions to him. ( iv) In his capacity as a scoutmaster he obtained a cheque book, filled in a cheque and induced a tobacconist to cash same. It was afterwards found to be worthless. ( v) Whilst employed as a clerk and during the absence of his employer stole and cashed a money order. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent history ^ J^ LiojJld^ il^ C^ AAM^ l j 72. Mary Lovick, aliases Mary Ellen Standley and Mary Child, C. R. O. No. 1374- l! K) 4. Description : B. ( Leeds) 1870, 4ft. 8| in., c. pale, h. grey, e. brown, scar rt. of forehead and corner rt. eye. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Mild in manner, soft spoken and plausibl . < -. 1 Sentenced at Leeds Ass., 8- 3- 1926, to 12 mos. impt. for forgery. Liberated, 7- 1- 1927, to Manchester. Pre. con. of forgery and larceny at YORK, LEEDS, in the CITY OF LONDON and on D and E. i Method- ( i) Whilst residing with a woman friend obtained possession of the woman's Post Office Savings Bank book, forged the signature and drew out the money. ( ii) Called at a post office in a suburban district, obtained a money order for a small amount, usually for two shillings or two shillings and sixpence. She then filled in a figure in the pounds space and called on tradesmen, often jewellers, from whom she purchased goods and tendered in payment the altered orders. / ( iii) Stole, forged and uttered a banker's cheque. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent history \ The following persons who have already appeared in Supplement A have been re- convicted as follows— c/ 73. Ernest Douglas, Case No. 37 ( Vol. III.), was sentenced as Ernest John Douglas at Shropshire Ass., 22- 2 1927, to 12 mos. impt . for obtaining food and lodgings by false pretences. Poser! a> an engineer and had obtained employment at a local motor garage. Usee! the names of James Dawson, A. Jakes andErnest McDonald. Five other cases of a similar nature at Bristol, Keynsham, Gloucester, Notting- ham and Church Stretton were taken into consideration when sentence was passed. 74. ^ red Deitchman, Case No. 400 ( Vol. 111.), was sentenced as Israel Deitchman at C. C. C., 18- 2- 1927. to 4 yrs. pen. for conspiracy and obtaining goods by false pretences ( 2 cases) ( long firm fraud). Method as in original case. Used the names of The Smithfield General Distributing Co., and The Western Supply Co. James Grant, C. R. O. No. S/ 111149, was convicted with him. ancis Dalby, Case No. 242 ( Vol. IV.), was sentenced as Frank Dalby at Nottingham Pol. Ct., 7- 2- 1927, to 3 mos. impt. for stealing 8 pairs of stockings. Walked into a shop during the dinner hour and stole the property from a show ca> e. / William Hastie, Case No. 248 ( Vol. IV.), was sentenced as William Liddle Hastie at North- umberland Ass., 23- 2- 1927, to 8 mos. impt. for burglary. Method as in original case. A case of burglary at Chester and one of warehousebreaking at Portsmouth were taken into consideration when sentence was passed. , / ' h. Llewellyn Price, Case No. 380 ( Vol. IV.), was sentenced as Thomas Jones at Salop Ass., 22- 2- 1927. to 12 mos. impt. for attempted shopbreaking. During the night attempted to force the front door of a jeweller's look- up shop with a jemmy, i/ ' 7. William Henry, Case No. 10 ( Vol. V.). was sentenced as George Henry at Bow Street Pol. Ct. ( L.), 17- 2- 1927, to 3 mos. impt. for stealing a wallet from a coat pocket in a public lavatory. Sidney Jackson, C. R: 0. No. 13493- 192( 1, was convicted with him. 1/ James Shepherd, Case No. 21 ( Vol. V.), was sentenced as John Wilson at Bow Street Pol. Ct. ( L.), 14- 2- 1927, to 3 mos. impt., for being a suspected person ( attempting to pick pockets). William Patterson. C. R. O. No. 043- 1912 and Henry Turner, C. R. O. No. 1735- 1900, were convicted with him. , i/ 78. Alfred Wilson, Case No. 192 ( Vol. V.), was sentenced as Alfred Bernard Wilson at Hants Ass., 11- 2- 1927, to 3 yrs. pen. for stealing silver articles from churches left open for public worship ( 2 cases). Cases of a similar nature at Southsea, Brighton, Shrewsbury, Salisbury, Berwick- upon- Tweed, Coventry, Swindon, Gloucester, Northampton, Penarth. Devonport, Plymouth, Stonehouse. Reading, Hove, Blackpool, Bournemouth, Worcester and Sheffield were taken into consideration when sentence was passed. Lsed the name of R. Seal. Alfred Gristwood. Case No. 359 ( Vol. V.), was, at Tower Bridge Pol. Ct. ( L.), 14- 21927, bound over in own recognizances in £ 5 for 12 mos. and to pay doctor's fee, for aggravated assault. l/ Walter Woolfe, Case No. 438 ( Vol. V.), was sentenced as Wolf Marks at Nottingham ( City) Pol. Ct., 7- 2- 1927, to 3 mos. impt. for stealing two wallets from the person. ^ John McRae, Case No. 243 ( Vol. VI.), was sentenced at Newport ( Mon.) Pol. Ct,, 18- 2- 1927, to 3 mos. impt. for obtaining money by false pretences ( worthless cheque). Method as in original case. fc). John Mercer, Case No. 304 ( Vol. VI.), was sentenced at Middlesex Sess., 5- 2- 1927, to 3 yrs. pen. * for housebreaking and larceny. W7ith a confederate effected entry by breaking glass panel of front door and removing the catch. William Jackson. C. R. O. No. 3068- 1921 was convicted with him. J Frank Griffin Hodson, Case No. 522 ( Vol. VI.), was sentenced at Devon Ass., 1- 2- 1927, to 6 yrs. pen. for breaking and entering a store and larceny. Method as in ( v) original case. Two other cases of a similar nature were taken into consideration when sentence was passed. s 8 >. James Davis, Case No. 367 ( Vol. VII.), was sentenced as Isaac Lawson at C. L. S., 24- 2- 1927, to 15 mos. impt. for stealing a lady's costume from inside a large store. Method as in ( iii) original case. Maud Somerset, Case No. 6 ( Vol. VIII ), was sentenced as Edna Rodgers at West London Pol. Ct., 8- 2- 1027, to 6 mos. impt. for stealing a motor rug and cushion. ^ William Seymour, Case No. 224 ( Vol. VIII.), was sentenced as William Johnson at South Western Pol. Ct. ( L.), 19- 2- 1927, to 6 mos. impt. for stealing a suit of clothes from outside shop. 81 Frederick Ford, Case No. 145 ( Vol. IX.), was sentenced at C. C. C., 11- 2- 1927, to 15 mos. impt. for receiving. Was found dealing with property the proceeds of housebreaking. John Donovan, C. R. O. No. 462- 1917, was convicted with him. (/ Charles Richardson, Case No. 146 ( Vol. IX.), was sentenced at C. L. S., 8- 2- 1927, to 18 mos. impt. for being in possession of housebreaking implements by night. u John Thomas Webb, Case No. 139 ( Vol. X.), was sentenced at Bristol Pol. Ct., 23- 2- 1927, to 3, 3 and 3 mos. impt. ( cons.) for stealing articles from a church, a dwelling house and chapel. / 82. Henry Maher, Case No. 288 ( Vol. X.), was sentenced as William Henry Browning at Hants Ass., 11- 2- 1927, to 3 yrs. pen. for obtaining a diamond ring by false pretences and attempted false pretences. Called at a jeweller's shop and gained the confidence of the shopkeeper by professing to be a customer, stated he had made purchases on a previous occasion, presented a card bearing a fictitious name and address and said he wished to purchase a ring for his sister. Was shown a number of rings one of which he selected, and promised to forward a cheque for same, but failed to do so. / ^ Thomas Healey, Case No. 310 ( Vol. X.), was sentenced at Marylebone Pol. Ct. ( L.), 18- 2- 1927, to 6 mos. impt, under the Prevention of Crimes Act for loitering. Ernest Dorking, Case No. 21 o ( Vol. XI.), was convicted with him. 85Alfred Wright Bennett, Case No. 122 ( Vol. XL), was sentenced as Harry Smith at Clerkenwell Pol. Ct. ( L.), 28- 2- 1927, to 6 and 6 mos. impt. ( cons.), for ( i) larceny— trick, and ( ii) larcen}-— lodgings, ( i) Method as in Case No. 235 ( Vol. XI11.), and ( ii) Rented a furnished room, entered another room in same house and stole a sum of money. t Ernest Dorking, Case No. 215 ( Vol. XL), was sentenced at Marylebone Pol. Ct. ( L.), 18- 2- 1927, to 6 mos. impt. under the Prevention of Crimes Act for loitering. Thomas Healey, Case No. 310 ( Vol. X.), was convicted with him. 84.^ Solomon Pareezer, Case No. 262 ( Vol. XIII.), was sentenced a^ tmingham Pol. Ct., 22- 2- 1927. to 6 mos. impt, for false pretences. By posing as a poultry farm^^ Blled at a small shop, and said he had brought some eggs to a shopkeeper higher up the street lj^ pLt she did not want them all. Asked the woman who kept the shop if she would buy the others, which she consented to do. He then obtained a quantity of cigarettes which he said he would sell to the workpeople on his farm, promised to return in a few days but failed to do so. A case at Brighton was taken into consideration when sentence was passed. L Maggie McLean, Case No. 37 ( Vol. XIV.), was, at South Western Pol. Ct, ( L.), 14- 2- 1927. bound over, own recognizance £ 10 for 3 yrs. to come up for judgement if called upon, for larceny ( shoplifting). Peggy O'Neill, C. R. O. No. 3900- 1920, was convicted with her. LATEST INFORMATION. Thomas Pearce, Case No. 64 ( Vol. I.), was liberated, 26- 2- 1927, into the. M. P. D. Intended address : 8, Great Charlotte Street, Lambeth. Robert Wilson, Case No. 126 ( Vol. II.), was liberated, 5- 3- 1927, into the M. P. D. Herbert Jones Whittle, Case No. 363 ( Vol. II.), was liberated, 19- 2- 1927, to Manchester. t/ Edward Talbot, Case No. 5 ( Vol. III.), was liberated, 21- 2- 1927, to Birmingham. / George Taylor, Case No. 53 ( Vol. III.), was liberated, 23- 2- 1927, to Birmingham. / Horace Nail, Case No. 74 ( Vol. III.), was liberated on licence, 25- 2- 1927, into the M. P. D. « / Hubert Andrews, Case No. 117 ( Vol. III.), was liberated, 3- 3- 1927, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 47, High Street, Kingston- on- Thames. ,/ William Challis, Case No. 149 ( Vol. III.), was liberated, 22- 2- 1927, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 14, Arlington Road, Camden Town. t/ Herbert Brazier, Case No. 266 ( Vol. III.), was liberated, 4- 3- 1927, to Sittingbourne. Alice Finlayson, Case No. 391 ( Vol. III.), was liberated, 2- 3- 1927, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 12, Stamforth Road, Newbury Park, Ilford. / William Parker, Case No. 220 ( Vol. IV.), was liberated on licence, 1- 3- 1927, into the M. P. D. / Joseph Fielding, Case No. 389 ( Vol. IV.), was liberated, 21- 2- 1927, to Preston. J John Berryman, Case No. 243 ( Vol. V.), was deported to this country from America, 21- 2- 1927. t/ Albert Edward Meadows, Case No. 325 ( Vol. V.), was liberated on licence, 25- 1- 1927, into the M. P. D. Sidney Dyer, Case No. 21 ( Vol. VI.), was liberated on licence, 25- 2- 1927, to Luton. » ^ Ernest Hambrook, Case No. 472 ( Vol. VI.), was liberated on licence. 25- 2- 1927, into the M. P. D. / Henry Leonard Ellis, Case No. 371 ( Vol. VII.), was liberated, 21- 2- 1927, into the M. P. D. t John Cowie, Case No. 395 ( Vol. IX.), was liberated on licence, 25- 2- 1927, into the M. P. D. , John Taylor, Case No. 216 ( Vol. X.), was liberated, 5- 3- 1927, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 26, Point PJfcant, Putney Bridge Road. L/ Albert Armstrong,^ ft No. 449 ( Vol. X.), was liberated on licence, 25- 2- 1927, into the M. P. D NOTE.— In the event of information being received of the DEATH of any criminal whose particulars have appeared in POLICE GAZETTE SUPPLEMENT A, the fact should be notified to C. R. O. As the latest information or subsequent conviction of criminals, whose particulars have been inserted in Supplement A, will appear in each issue at the end of the cases, the original numbers should be cross- referenced on the printed lines provided for that purpose. SPECIAL NOTICE. When any person whose portrait and description have appeared in Supplement A is again arrested for any offence, and on account of being locally known the finger prints are not sent to C. R. O. for the purpose of search, it is requested that particulars of such conviction be sent to Criminal Record Office as soon as possible in order that they may appear in an early issue of Supplement A for the information of all forces. Printed and Published for His Majesty's Stationery Office by the Receiver for the Metropolitan Police District, New Scotland Yard, London, S. W. I.