CONFIDENTIAL SUPPLEMENT A ~¥ o. 13. FRIDAY, JULY 1, 1927. VOL. XIV. RIGHT FOREFINGER PRINT UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED Right, Thumb. ? 00 201 201 Z05 R04- Z05 CONFIDENTIAL Supplement A THE POLICE GAZETTE No. 13. FRIDAY, JULY 1, 1927. VOL. XIV. EXPERT AND TRAVELLING CRIMINALS. 200. Bertha Tappenden, aliases Bertha Holmes, Bertha Spencer and Rose Tappenden, C. R. O. No. 3934- 1917. Description : B. ( London) 1901, 5ft. 2in., c. pale, h. It. brown, e. grey. Sentenced at C. C. C., 2- 3- 1926, to 18 mos. impt. for burglary, riot, assault, damage and wounding to do grievous bodily harm. Liberated, 3- 6- 1927, into the M. P. D. Pre. con. of larceny at LUTON, PETERBOROUGH, in the CITY OF LONDON and on F, L and P. A persistent and violent criminal and member of a gang of clever and expert shoplifters. Method— ( i) With confederates armed with knives and razors entered a dwelling house during the night, by forcing the door and breaking the window, caused other malicious damage inside the house and wounded the occupier by cutting him with a sharp instrument. ( ii) With confederates travelled from London to provincial towns and seaside resorts, visited drapers . shops and large stores, usually about lunch time, when there were few assistants about, requested to be shown articles displayed in the windows, said the confederates were her sisters and that she did not like to try on dresses in their presence. She was accordingly shown into the fitting room, when the confederates stole blouses, dresses, etc. She usually paid a deposit on the goods selected and promised to return later. After leaving the shops she went to a dining room, made up the stolen property into parcels and despatched same by post to London. ( iii) Entered a large stores in the West End, stole a number of costumes from show cases and placed them under her coat. In other cases hid the property under her skirt. Associates: George Hughes, C. R. O. No. 4468- 1916 ( now in pen.); Samuel Ashley, C. R. O. No. 3716- 1919 ( now in pen.); Maggie Hughes, Case No. 25 ( Vol. VIII.), ( now in pen.): Diana Black, case No. 252 ( Vol. VIII.); Gertrude Skelton, C. R. O. No. 9434- 1921 ( now in prison) ; Mary Martin, C. R. O. No. 17512- 1923 , Beatrice Dawkins, C. R. O. No. 22738- 1921; Lilian Dalley, Case No. 6 ( Vol. XII.); Rachel Strong, C. R. O. No. 18483- 1920; Maria Tappenden, C. R. O. No. 9889- 1918 ; and Harriet Louisa Adelburgh, C. R. O. No. 13007- 1919, with each of whom she has been convicted. The portrait is a good likeness. 201. James Robert Ellis, aliases Robert James Lublinski, A. B. Hulme, Robert James Lubinski, James Ellis and W. W. Ewings, C. R. O. No. 78- 1927. Description : B. ( London) 1884, 6ft., c. sallow, h. dk. brown ( turning grey, thin on top), e. brown ( wears pince- nez), scar 1. forearm and 1. wrist. » » Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Is well educated, refined manner, speaks with American accent, smart appearance. Is very talkative and fond of telling of his American experiences. . > Sentenced at C. L. S., 17- 2- 1925, to 3 yrs. pen. for obtaining money and gold ring by false pretences and larcenv. Liberated on licence, 20- 5- 1927, into the M. P. D. Pre. con. of embezzle- ment, larceny and false pretences at LIVERPOOL, CHESTERFIELD, LOUGHBOROUGH, SUTTON COLD FIELD, SALFORD, C. O. and on C and D. An exceedingly clever and plausible thief and swindler, who invariably works alone and in various parts of the country. He has stated that from 1910 to 1919 he resided in the U. S. A. Method— ( i) By posing as a civil engineer he became acquainted with a widow, proposed marriage, induced her to lend him money, also a ring, the latter in order to obta. in the size of an engagement - ring. Stated he was in charge of some engineering works and wanted the money to pay his men. Was in possession of elaborate visiting cards bearing his name, followed by a number of letters. By these means he obtained nearly the whole of her life savings. ( ii) By representing himself to be an engineer he obtained food and lodgings with good class people, borrowed money from them under the pretence that he was short of spare cash until his next pay day. Also at the first opportunity entered other bedrooms and stole jewellery, etc. ( iii) Accompanied by a woman, said to be his wife, and a boy, he stayed at a boarding house, borrowed money from the proprietress, ran up a bill for food and lodgings and absconded. ( iv) By means of false references he obtained a position on the Mersey Dock and Harbour Board, called on numerous firms, represented himself to be a consulting engineer and a bachelor of science, employed by them, and obtained loans of money from steel and building firms. Also obtained money by means of worthless cheques. ( v) Posed as an agent to a firm of contractors, ordered a typewriter, asked for it to be sent to a certain address, intercepted the messenger and obtained the instrument. Also telephoned makers of valuable surveying instruments and ordered goods to be forwarded to local engineering firms, intercepted the messengers, and obtained the articles. ( vi) Representing himself to be the chief engineer on a certain contract, he obtained a loan of money from a taxi- cab proprietor and failed to return it. ( vii) Advertised, through a servants' registry office, for a woman to act as housekeeper at a house in the country. Said he was going abroad. He engaged a woman and induced her to deposit her luggage at a railway station and to hand him the cloak room ticket. He then obtained the property and absconded. ( viii) Employed as a timekeeper was entrusted with a sum of money to pay incidental expenses and1 absconded. ( ix) Borrowed a watch and chain from a person with whom he lodged and sold it. On his release from prison on one occasion borrowed a Gladstone bag from a clergyman, a member of the Prison Gate Mission , and failed to return it.' The portrait is a good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent history. J..,, L < „ ' trnM.?*:....^.. ' w& M. A^ Hfo- % 202. David Backer, alias David Becker, C. R. O. No. 3842- 1918. Description : B. ( Russia) 1881, 5ft. 2in., c. fresh, h. grey ( thin on top), e. brown, freckles on face, scar rt. of neck. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Has slight impediment in speech. J'i Sentenced at C. L. S., 22- 6- 1926, to 12 mos. impt. and deportation, for being an incorrigible rogue, obtaining charitable contributions by false pretences. Liberated, 3- 5- 1927, into the M. P. D. Pre, con. of false pretences and minor offences at MANCHESTER, LEEDS and on G, H and S. A dangerous and persistent swindler, a criminal who has been most violent when arrested for previous offences. Born in Russia, he came to this country in 1900, since which time he has obtained his livelihood as a canvasser in photographic enlargements, travelling in drapery, etc., and through the medium of bogus and fraudulent charitable collections. He frequently changes his address, which is usually at common lodging houses. In 1921 he was warned that he would not be allowed to remain in this country indefinitely and was advised to make his way to some other country at the first opportunity. It was later ascertained from the Russian Trade Delegation that he could not be recognised as a Russian citizen, nor could he be granted any facilities to return to Russia. He has been a member of the Communist organization and was in sympathy with the Soviet Government ruling Russia although he had not sworn allegiance to it. Owing to the inability to deport him, he has been subjected to the provisions of Article 11 of the Aliens' Order, 1920. It is doubtful if he can exist on his earnings from the photograph business and may again use it as a means to make bogus charitable collections. Method— ( i) Obtained from a local directory the names of Jewish people living in a good class suburban district and with a confederate called on them, produced a printed subscription list headed " Subscriptions on behalf of the widow and orphans of Mr. ( here followed a name) who were destitute and leaving f* the district." He thus obtained several small sums of money and absconded. ( ii) Solicited orders for enlargements of photographs, obtained numerous photographs and sums of money but failed to send the enlargements. ( iii) Entered a clothier's shop, selected a suit length of cloth, for which he tendered a worthless cheque taken from a stolen cheque book. ( iv) Accosted several persons in the street and attempted to sell valueless rings. Associate : Joseph Dobrzynski, C. R. O. No. 12369- 1923. The portrait is a good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent history 203. Samuel Rhodes, aliases Edward Hudson, N. Wells and William Bishop, C. R. O. No. 17119- 1915. Description : B. ( London) 1865, 5ft. 9£ in., c. fresh, h. brown ( turning grey), e. grey, scar 1. of chin, rt. hand and 2nd 1. finger. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Walks with a slight stoop, very plausible, addicted to drink. Sentenced at Greenwich Pol. Ct. ( L.), 9- 12- 1926, to 2, 2 and 2 mos. impt. ( cons.) for larceny ( bailee) and false pretences ( 2 cases). Liberated, 10- 5- 1927, into the M. P. D. Pre. con. of conspiracy, obtaining credit by fraud, obtaining credit as an undischarged bankrupt and minor offences on G and P. Method— ( i) Advertised in the daily papers milk rounds for sale, represented them to be genuine ready money concerns showing a stated profit. Obtained sums of money as deposits from numbers of intending purchasers. In some cases obtained the full amount. The concerns were eventually found to be worthless. ( ii) Being an undischarged bankrupt he obtained goods from tradesmen and failed to pay for same. « ( iii) Hired a horse and harness, used it on a milk round, and afterwards disposed of same with the business. He has been found on various occasions in possession of numbers of milk bottles and churns for which he could not account. Has also been fined for selling adulterated milk. Associates : Ernest Barrett, C. R. O. No. 64- 1922, with whom he has been convicted ; and John Moore, Case No. 157 ( Vol. VII.). The portrait is a good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent history 204. Alexander Richmond, aliases Thomas Watson and Samuel Williams, C. R. O. No. 3125- 1902. Description : B. ( Barrow- in- Furness) 1878, 5ft. 2fin., c. fresh, h. brown ( bald on top), e. blue, scar 1. of jaw. Sentenced at Lancaster Sess., 2- 7- 1923, to 5 yrs. pen. and remanet of former sentence for shopbreaking. Liberated on licence, 17- 6- 1927, to Exeter. Pre. con. of larceny, shopbreaking, burglary, warehousebreaking and a minor offence at BARROW- IN- FURNESS, MANCHESTER, PRESTON, LEAMINGTON, WINCHESTER, NEWCASTLE, WEST HARTLEPOOL and WALLSEND. A persistent and expert burglar and shopbreaker who generally works with a brace and bit and has been known to carry a loaded stick. ( i) Effected entry to a pawnbroker's and jeweller's shop by climbing a wall at rear of premises, drilled holes in the back door, then pushed out a piece of wood, making a large hole, through which he crept ; broke open two drawers in the pledge office and stole jewellery, etc. He also gained access to chemists and grocers shops by cutting a hole near the lock or bolt with a brace and bit and stole provisions, etc. ( ii) Effected entry to a dwelling house, during the night, by cutting out a panel of door at the rear of premises and stole money. ( iii) Broke into a warehouse and stole property. ( iv) Gained access to a schoolhouse and stole money and other property and afterwards broke out of same. Disposed of property by using the provisions himself and concealed the jewellery in his house. Associate : Edward Gladstone Clarke, C. R. O. No. S/ 17648, with whom he has been convicted. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Method- Subsequent 20.5. John Mayes, aliases Henry Warner, John White, Frederick Williams, John West, Joe Terry, Alfred Boyd, Fred Boyde and Jack Bradfield, C. R. O. No. 12- 1919. Description : B. ( Leicester) 1891, oft. 2in., c. fresh, h. It. brown, e. blue, scar 1. cheek and each thumb, mole 1. cheek, clasped hands rt. forearm, ring 4th 1. finger. Sentenced at Leicester Sess., 3- 1- 1927, to 6 mos. impt. for larceny. Liberated, 3- 6- 1927, to Leicester. Pre. con. of larceny, larceny ( trick, welshing), shopbreaking and minor offences at LEICESTER, LINCOLN, CARUSLE. DONCASTER, NORWICH, PONTEFRACT, YORK, NEW- CASTLE and on T. A troublesome all round thief who does not confine himself to any particular class of offence; when in drink and with companions will steal or commit any crime as opportunity affords. He is an associate of card sharpers and racecourse thieves and has indiscriminately received bets on racecourses well knowing he could not meet his liabilities. A criminal who has carried firearms and has been convicted of discharging same in the street. ( iv) During the night smashed the window of a pawnbroker's shop and stole jewellery, etc. Method— ( i) Stole suit- cases, etc., from motor cars left unattended in the street. ( ii) Stole goods exposed for sale outside shops. ( iii) Stole jewellery, etc.. from persons on racecourse. Also assaulted a man in the street and stole his tie- pin. Has travelled on the railway and failed to pay his fare. Disposed of property to associates. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. m The following persons who have already appeared in Supplement A have been re- convicted as follows— 206. Frederick Ryan Trousdale, Case No. 121 ( Vol. I.), was sentenced as Arthur Carpenter at Essex Ass., 11- 6- 1927, to 9 mos. impt. for stealing medals, etc., from lodgings and obtaining food by false pretences. Posed as Lieutenant Arthur Carpenter of the s. s. ' Almedic " and was dressed as such. tx 207. Hugh Dunnico, Cases Nos. 271 ( Vol. I.) and 313 ( Vol. XIII.), was sentenced as Hugh Thomas Dunnico at Oldham ( Boro.) Sess., 25- 4- 1927 to 12 mos. impt. for forgery and false pretences ( 6 cases). Method as in Case No. 425 ( Vol. XII.) except in this case he filled in and forged an order for goods, thereby obtained commission. ^ John Hampton Wilson Shaw, Case No. 333 ( Vol. I.), was sentenced as George Watson at Dartford P. Sess., 4- 6* 1927, to 14 days impt. for obtaining money by false pretences. Method as in original case. 208. krthur Hobbs, Case No. 266 ( Vol. II.), was sentenced at Portsmouth Pol. Ct., 28- 5- 1927, to 4 and 4 mos. impt. ( cons.), for obtaining a pair of binoculars and a ring by false pretences. Entered a jeweller's shop, stated he was an old customer and produced a visiting card bearing a fictitious name and address, stated he wanted the property as a present for his son or daughter, and that if they suited he would forward a cheque. After obtaining the property he immediately disposed of same at a local pawnshop. Nine other cases of a similar nature at Hove, Newport and Brighton were taken into consideration when sentence was passed. Used the name of Frank Richards. 209. ^ Anthony Mirini, Case No. 35 ( Vol. III.), was as Anthony Marine, at Richmond Pol. Ct. ( L.), 11- 6- 1927, fined 27s. or 14 days impt. for travelling on railway without paying his fare and giving false name and address. v/ 210. Peter Neilson, Cases Nos. 54 ( Vol. 111.) and 447 ( Vol. XIII.), was sentenced as Joseph Barnes at Swansea Sess., 11- 6- 1927, to 12 mos. impt. for false pretences ( 3 cases). Method as in Case No. 38 ( Vol. VII.). Cases of false pretences at Leeds and Manchester, and one of larceny at Lincoln ( City) were taken consideration when sentence was passed. IS Daniel Sullivan, Case No. 433 ( Vol. IV.), was, at Marylebone Pol. Ct. ( L.), 10- 6- 1927, bound over in £ 5 for 12 nios. for stealing a quantity of copper cable from a dump by the roadside. ^ Arthur McManus, Case No. 205 ( Vol. V.), was sentenced at Old Street Pol. Ct. ( L.), 6- 6- 1927, to 1 mo. impt. for stealing two scarves from the bag of a pedlar in a public house. c/ 211. Gerald White, Case No. 15 ( Vol. VI.), was sentenced as George White at Weymouth Pol. Ct., 10- 6-} 927, to 6 mos. impt. for stealing wallet and cash from a coat hanging in hotel lavatory. John Mitchell, Case No. 179 ( Vol. VI.), was sentenced as James Perryman at Ascot Occasional Ct., 16- 6- 1927, to 3 mos. impt. for being a suspected person ( loitering on racecourse). ^ Henry Willis, Case No. 271 ( Vol. VI.), was sentenced at Newcastle Pol. Ct.. 16- 5- 1927, to 6 mos. impt. for stealing a purse from the person. ^ Samuel Walton Kay, Case No. 364 ( Vol. VI.), was sentenced at Manchester Pol. Ct., 8- 6- 1927, to 3 mos. impt. for failing to report. ^ Charles Henry Noble, Case No. 426 ( Vol. VI.), was sentenced as Arthur William Rouse at Southampton Pol. Ct., 27- 5- 1927, to 3 mos. impt. for obtaining food and lodgings and a walking stick by false pretences. ^ Edward McDonald White, Case No. 436 ( Vol. VI.), was sentenced as Charles Douglas at Leicester Ass., 7- 6- 1927, to 3 yrs. pen. for stealing communion sets from churches ( 2 cases). Four other cases of a similar nature at Bristol, Filton, Cardiff and Shepshed. were taken into consideration when sentence was passed. ^ Sidney Smith, Case No. 19 ( Vol. VII.), was sentenced as Fred Thompson at Leicester Ass., 8- 6- 1927, to 6 mos. impt. for housebreaking. Method as in original case. 212.1 Albert Wallis, Case No. 180 ( Vol. VIII.), was sentenced as Alfred Burrage at South Western Pol. Ct. ( L.), 2- 6- 1927, to 6 mos. impt. for larceny. Method as in original case. Walter Wallis, C. R. O. No. 21143- 1918, was convicted with him. ^ John Sullivan, Case No. 203 ( Vol. VIII.), was sentenced as John Noonan at C. C. C., 1- 6- 1927, to 3J vrs. pen. for stealing cheques and letters from letter boxes. Charles Arthur Hellier, Case No. 124 ( Vol. XIII.), and Horace Edgar Bickle, C. R. O. No. 16671- 1921, were convicted with him 2l3l/ John Walker, Case No. 491 ( Vol. VIII.), was sentenced as John Dixon at Carnarvon Ass., 8- 6- 1927, to 3 yrs. pen. for obtaining money and credit by false pretences ( 3 cases). Represented he had some furniture on a yacht that he had been authorised to sell, obtained money to pay carriage for same. Also that he had purchased some land and was about to build houses. Induced a person to join in* with him and to invest a sum of money. Obtained various sums of money by represent ng he had goods to sell on the hire purchase system. In another case stated he was an engineer in charge of a contract, obtained food and lodgings, stole money from the bedroom of a fellow lodger and endeavoured to escape in a motor car he had engaged. Nine other cases of false pretences and one of larceny were taken into consideration when sentence was passed. v^ Alfred Coney, Case No. 515 ( Vol. IX.), was sentenced at Birmingham Sess., 2- 5- 1927, to 12 mos. impt. for housebreaking. 214. [/ Harry Haslam, Case No. 90 ( Vol. X.), was sentenced at Gloucester Ass., 14- 6- 1927, to 3 yrs. pen. for housebreaking and larceny. Gained access to a villa, which had been left unattended, by climbing a water pipe and through insecurely fastened bedroom window, stole property and consumed wine and whiskey. 215^ Charles Larner, Case No. 37 ( Vol. XII.), was sentenced as Claude Lamer at Ipswich ( Boro.) P. Sess., 13- 6- 1927, to 14 days and 6 mos. impt. ( conc.) for acting as a pedlar without certificate and false pretences. Called on a tradesman and obtained wearing apparel, saying he required it for a friend and that he would pay the following morning. 216.1' Charles Arthur Hellier, Case No. 124 ( Vol. XIII.), was sentenced as William George Davis at C. C. C., 1- 6- 1927, to 12 vrs. pen. for conspiracy, forgery and uttering. With others conspired in forgery and uttering a document purporting it to be the will of a person, whereby a woman con- federate appeared to benefit. Also forged and uttered cheques. John Sullivan, Case No. 203 ( Vol. VIII.), and Horace Edgar Bickle, C. R. O. No. 16671- 1921, were convicted with him. 2171/ John Ryan, Case No. 125 ( Vol. XIII.), was sentenced at C. L. S.; 14- 6- 1927, to 6 mos. impt. for receiving. Was found in possession of property the proceeds of housebreaking. 218. v Leslie Sidney Carlton, Case No. 127 ( Vol. XIII.), was sentenced as Leslie Collins at Tottenham P. Sess. ( L.), 19- 5- 1927, to 4 and 4 mos. impt. ( cons.) for false pretences ( 2 cases). Method as in original case. 219.^ Solomon Braeburn, Case No. 423 ( Vol. XIII.), was sentenced as John Dwyer, alias Cecil Blum, at Paris Correctional Ct., 15- 1- 1927, to 3 yrs. impt. for swindling. V Maggie McLean, Case No. 37 ( Vol. XIV.), was sentenced at Croydon ( Boro.) Pol. Ct. ( L.), 13- 6- 1927, to 6 mos. impt. for shoplifting. Emily Bavliss, C. R. O. No. 6306- 1920, was convicted with her. LATEST INFORMATION. ^ J James Robertson, Case No. 58 ( Vol. I.), was liberated on licence, 21- 6- 1927, to Ormskirk.^| ^ Guy Richard Preston, Case No. 95 ( Vol. III.), was liberated, 28- 5- 1927, into the M. P. D. {/ John Walter Huddleston McDouall, Case No. 347 ( Vol. IV.), was liberated, 13- 6- 1927, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 73, Star Street, Edgware Road. George Harry Withington, Case No. 204 ( Vol. VI.), was liberated on licence, 15- 6- 1927, to Manchester. ^ Arthur Johnson, Case No. 220 ( Vol. VI.), was liberated, 18- 6- 1927, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 29, Albert Street, Penton Street. [/ Adam Vondercheff, Case No. 194 ( Vol. VII.), was removed, 13- 6- 1927, to Cheshire County Mental Hospital, Chester, on expiration of sentence. ^ Henry Phillips, Case No. 216 ( Vol. VII.), was liberated, 18- 6- 1927, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 59, Brunswick Street, Hackney Road. ^ Frederick Stride, Case No. 436 ( Vol. VII.), was liberated on licence, 16- 6- 1927, to Blackpool. L/ Charles Taylor, Case No. 5 ( Vol. IX.), was liberated on licence, 16- 6- 1927, to Brighton. t/ William Pearce, Case No. 281 ( Vol. IX.), was liberated, 13- 6- 1927, to Bristol. ^ Frank Donald Duncan, Case No. 152 ( Vol. X.), was liberated, 13- 6- 1927, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 23, Coningham Road, Shepherd's Bush. Richard Harvey, Case No. 65 ( Vol. XI.), was liberated, 14- 6- 1927, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 30, Crescent Street, Notting Hill. Ernest Bainbridge, Case No. 67 ( Vol. XI.), was liberated, 16- 6- 1927, into the M. P. D. ^ Frank Watson, Case No. 446 ( Vol. XI.), was liberated, 14- 6- 1927, into the M. P. D. v Patrick Ronan, Case No. 159 ( Vol. XIII.), was liberated, 14- 6- 1927, to Birmingham. 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 printed lines provided for that purpose. SPECIAL NOTICE. When any person whose portiait 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.