CONFIDENTIAL SUPPLEMENT A No. 19. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1927. VOL. XIV. RIGHT FOREFINGER PRINT UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED CONFIDENTIAL Supplement A THE POLICE GAZETTE No. 19. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1927. VOL. XIV. EXPERT AND TRAVELLING CRIMINALS. 297. Cyril George Pegg, aliases George McRaigh, George McCraig, George William McCraig, James William Mac Craig, George William Enright and George William Gray, C. R. O. No. 11966- 1919. Description : B. ( Tasmania) 1898, 5ft. 7Ain., c. fresh, h. brown, e. blue, scar under 1. eye. Sentenced at C. L. S., 16- 2- 1926, to 9 mos. impt. for being an incorrigible rogue, suspected person ( loitering). Liberated, 2- 10- 1926. into the M. P. D. Pre. con. of larceny and minor offences on C and F. Has also convictions of burglary, attempted burglary and a minor offence in AMERICA. A dangerous and clever thief, an associate of hotel thieves, long firm swindlers and confidence tricksters. He has been described in the press as a " cat burglar " and is known in New York as the " human fly." He is of a violent disposition and will resort to any means to evade arrest. On the last occasion when arrested he was with confederates who had in their possession a powerful motor car. On two occasions his convictions have been quashed by the Court of Criminal Appeal. The facts of the case in one of these instances were that he was discovered in a private house by a maid, who found him apparently asleep on a settee in the drawing room. It was thought he had climbed from the street to a balcony and had gained access through an unfastened window. On the maid giving the alarm he endeavoured to escape by the window and jumped a distance of thirty to thirty- five feet, breaking his leg and sustaining other injuries. Method— ( i) With a confederate was discovered at night climbing the fire escape at a large hotel in the West End. Also with another man occupied a room in a hotel and in the early morning climbed out of his room on to the parapet, passed along same, and attempted to enter the rooms of other visitors by the windows. ( ii) Entered a house by the front door, which was open, proceeded to a bedroom on first floor and was engaged in stealing a pair of pearl and diamond earrings when he was detected by the occupiers. He then ran to the bathroom, locked himself in, and succeeded in getting out of the window on to the portico, from which he jumped, breaking his right leg and sustaining cuts and bruises. ( iii) Was seen in the West End in the early morning loitering near the shop of a high class jeweller, and when approached by police assaulted a Constable and ran away. Associates : William Gray, C. R. O. No. 16651- 1925, with whom he has been convicted ; George Thomas Johnson, C. R . O. No. 13241- 1920 ; Joseph Thomas Dorsett, C. R. O. No. 2617- 1926 ; Wilfred Francis Macartney, C. R. O. No. 4725- 1926; Daniel John Melaney, Case No. 124 ( Vol. V.); Hyman Kurasch, Case No. 196 ( Vol. IX.), and Hyman Cohen, C. R. O'. No. 12697- 1915 ( now in prison). L ( The portrait is a good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Subsequent history. 298. Victor Thomas Roberts, aliases Leonard Arthur Fry and Len Roberts, C. R. O. No. 20054- 1917. Description : B. ( London) 1895, oft. 4in., c. fresh, h. dk. brown, e. brown, scar rt. eyebrow, 1. of mouth, rt. forearm, 1. wrist and thumb, bird, clasped hands and Sarah Burton rt., flag, clasped hands 1. forearm. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Smart appearance. Sentenced at C. L. S., 19- 5- 1925. to 3 yrs. pen. for receiving. Liberated on licence, 19- 8- 1927, into the M. P. D. Pre. con. of larceny, shopbreaking, housebreaking and a minor offence on H, K and N. Method- ( i) With confederates forced the front door of a lock- up shop by bodily pressure and stole a number of musical instruments. ( ii) With a confederate forced the front door of a dwelling house by bodily pressure, entered the house and stole property. ( iii) Effected entry to a jeweller's shop by forcing window at rear of premises with a jemmy. Also forced the front doors of other shops with a jemmy. He has, also, often been seen with confederates, examining the rear of vans loaded with merchandise, etc. Associates : William George Baigent, C. R. O. No. 1781- 1917; Francis Edward Daly, C. R. O. No. 9219- 1922 ; Simon Levy, C. R. O. No. 9269- 1925; Morris Grossman ; C. R. O. No. 8037 1917 ; and Ernest Wood, C. R. O. No. 21593- 1917. with each of whom he has been convicted. The portrait is a good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R-. O. ^^^ / Subsequent histjrv / d. JA. h.. 299. Leo Godfrey Dodwell, aliases Leo Dean, Paul Vincent, ——- Doans, Gerald Shannon, George Dean, " Doddy," Gerald Newman, Leo Dodwell, Eric Godfrey, Doddy O'Dare and Leo Godfrey, C. R. O. No. 3565- 1922. Godfrey, Dack, O'Hara, G. Dodwell, Description : B. ( Birkenhead) 1895, 5ft. 8iin., c. fresh, h. brown, e. grey, mole rt. cheek, scar and dimple chin, 1. elbow deformed. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Smart appearance, well spoken, plausible. Sentenced at West London Pol. Ct., 25- 3- 1927, to 6, 6 and 6 mos. impt. ( conc.) for larceny— lodgings ( 3 cases). Twenty- three other cases of a similar nature in the M. P. D. were taken into consideration when sentence was passed. Liberated, 26- 8- 1927. into the M. P. D. Pre. con. of larceny, false pretences and forgery at DUBLIN, HUDDERSFIELD, FOLKESTONE and on S. A daring and persistent impostor who travels about the country posing as a music hall artiste, and imposes upon charitably disposed persons, members of the theatrical profession and working- class people. He often states he has fallen upon bad times, that he has signed a contract to play a part in a certain play or sketch, and that he requires lodging and money until the play starts ; or, that his father has died and he is unable to attend the funeral owing to financial embarrassment. He boasts of being a friend of local gentry and to create a good impression often uses the address of a theatrical publication. He thus induces people to provide him with board and lodgings and to advance him money, then, at the first opportunity, when left alone, steals money, etc., from his lodgings and absconds. Method— ( i) Posed as an actor engaged at a local theatre, obtained lodgings or engaged furnished rooms, entered other rooms and stole jewellery. In some cases obtained a loan of money from his landlady by falsely stating his luggage was at the station and that he required money to pay for conveyance. ( ii) Stole cheques, made out same for larger amounts than his bills, signed them in fictitious names and induced his landlady to accept them in payment for food and lodging, and obtained the change. He afterwards stole other things from the houses and absconded. ( iii) Engaged a room at a hotel, stayed a short time and left without paying his bill. ( iv) Obtained lodgings with people who usually catered for members of the theatrical profession, said he had been sent by theatrical boarding house keepers who were full up. When left alone stole jewellery, etc. ( v) Whilst residing with a woman who had befriended him on account of his unemployment, he was entrusted with a valuable print and various other things and either pledged or sold them for much below their value and absconded. Disposed of property to pawnbrokers. The portrait is a good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. 300. George Henry Maurice, aliases George Merricks, George Gray and John Calthorpe, C. R. O. No. 10976- 1918. Description : B. ( says London and Ireland) 1896, 5ft. 7in., c. fresh, h. dk. brown, e. hazel, freckles on face, scar 1. wrist. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Walks erect, smart soldierly appearance, very plausible, has a violent temper, fond of the company of prostitutes. Sentenced at Nottingham ( City) Sess., 17- 6- 1926, to 18 mos. impt. for shopbreaking. Liberated, 17- 9- 1927, to Nottingham. Pre. con. of robberv, warehousebreaking, larcenv. shopbreaking, officebreaking and a minor offence at SUNDERLAND, BIRMINGHAM, RUGBY, CARLISLE and on L. An expert criminal and safebreaker, who does not hesitate to use violence when arrested. Before committing an offence he often chooses a town some distance from his home, to which he travels by train, and sometimes stays in the town a few days in order to become acquainted with the place. Method- ( i) Effected entry to a public- house, in the early hours of the morning, by smashing window of smoke room at rear of premises, stole and consumed wine and spirits, also stole money from the safe. ( ii) Effected entry to a grocer's lock- up shop by climbing a telegraph pole near the premises and broke in through the skylight. Also broke into a lock- up shop in the early morning by climbing through a fanlight over the door. He then packed up, in cardboard boxes, a quantity of lady's clothing, and, with the assistance of his wife, who had kept watch in the street, conveyed the property to the nearest railway station. ( iii) Gained access to a shop, in the early morning, by scaling a wall and forcing a window at rear of premises with a jemmy, removed the safe, ripped off the back and stole a sum of money. ( iv) With a confederate effected entry to a warehouse by climbing a wall and forcing apart iron bars outside a window. He then forced up bottom part of window and stole groceries, boots and clothing, which he conveyed away in sacks. ( v) During the lunch hour entered a pawnbroker's shop, under the pretence of purchasing a watch, and when the assistant's back was turned struck him a violent blow on the head with a chair. He then stole a large sum of money from the safe and tills and a number of watches from the shop and escaped. ( vi) Stole a case of whiskey from a dray left unattended in the street. Has disposed of property to seamen on board ships in dock, also has taken it to the homes of prostitutes with whom he was residing at the time. Associates : Thomas Hart, C. R. O. No. 1104- 1914. with whom he has been convicted; and Joseph Collins, C. R. O. No. 321- 1921. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. / > Ik 301. Harry Thomas Green, C. R. O. No. 10082- 1914. Description : B. ( London) 1894, 5ft. 3£ in., c. fair, h. It. brown ( thin front top), e. blue, two scars top of forehead, scar 1. wrist, 4th rt. finger and 1. thumb, mole 1. of nose. • J Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Very plausible, an inveterate cigarette smoker, is addicted to drink. Sentenced at Surrey Sess., 15- 5- 1923, to 3 yrs. pen. for obtaining money by false pretences ( 7 cases). Twenty- three similar cases of false pretences were taken into consideration when sentence was passed. Subsequently sentenced at Maidstone Ass., 25- 11- 1925, to 18 mos. impt. for forgery and obtaining money by false pretences ( 2 cases). Six other cases were taken into consideration when sentence was passed. Liberated on second licence, 13- 9- 1927, to Tunbridge Wells. Pre. con. of larceny, embezzlement and false pretences at BRIGHTON, MAIDSTONE. FOLKESTONE and ASHFORD. 1 Method— ( i) Called upon tradesmen and falsely represented he was an agent for various trade directories' Usually produced copies of Bennett's or Kelly's Business Directories and canvassed for orders for the insertion of advertisements and obtained sums of money in payment of same, which he stated • • would appear in the next edition of the directory. He also posed as an agent for Stubb's Directory. Also obtained sums of money from tradesmen in payment of advertisements to be inserted on i theatre programmes, alleging that he was employed by an advertising agency. ( ii) Obtained a cheque, endorsed the signature of Kelly's, Ltd., on the back and changed same with a tradesman. On another occasion entered a shop and during temporary absence of a clerk stole a Kelly's directory from counter and afterwards used it to obtain money. v ( iii) Obtained lodgings by falsely representing he was employed as manager to a well known music hall A artiste who was performing at a local music hall. After staying a few days induced his landlord to cash a worthless cheque, which he alleged he had received as wages, and absconded. V ( iv) Whilst employed as agent for an advertising agency he embezzled sums of money received on behalf j of his employers. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. Su bseq u en t hist ory ././..'.*(. . 302. George Saunders, aliases William Dalby, William Ewart Dalby, George Hollifield, George Harris and Harry Harris, C. R. O. No. 2363- 1900. Description : B. ( Birmingham) 1884, 5ft. 7in., c. fresh, h. brown ( turning grey, thin on top), e. blue, scar 1. forearm and 3rd 1. finger. Personal Weaknesses, Peculiarities, etc. : Walks erectly, very plausible, is addicted to drink. Sentenced at Hants Sess., 24- 7- 1923, to 3 yrs. pen. for larceny. Six other cases were taken into consideration w'heiV] s(^ ritencpjLwas passed. Subsequently sentenced at Winchester Ass., 16- 11- 1923, to 5, 5 and •^ trfdjffi^ ( conc. with above) for rape and larceny ( 2 cases). Liberated on licence, 11- 8- 1927, into the M. P. D. Pre. con. of larceny and burglarv at BIRMINGHAM. WOR- CESTER, WESTON- SUPER- MARE, ALDERSHOT and on B. A general all round thief who steals anything that comes his way. Method— ( i) Secured lodgings at houses of working class men, said he had recently been discharged from the Royal Marines and after remaining a few days stole clothing, etc., and absconded. ( ii) Obtained food and lodgings in a seaport town by stating he was a ship's cook and was also acting as watchman on board a vessel then lying in dock. Stayed a few days and absconded without paying his bill, after having stolen jewellery, etc. On another occasion he stated he was a member of the crew of a steam trawler, thus secured lodgings, stayed a few days, stole a mackintosh and absconded. ( iii) Obtained lodgings w ith a widow, stated he was a seafaring man and was joining a liner at Tilbury on a certain date. Asked his landlady to meet him at the shipping office, then he apparently watched her leave the house and shortly afterwards entered and stole clothing, etc. ( iv) Answered an advertisement in a local newspaper of a room to let, described himself as a cook on a ship, said his luggage and money had been stolen at The Seaman's Home. He was allowed to take the room and was given food, then at the first opportunity stole a wallet and money. ( v) Whilst employed as a gardener and during the temporary absence of his employers sneaked into bedrooms and stole money and jewellery. On another occasion while employed at a house and residing in same he forced open the bedroom of a lodger and stole money. ( vi) Posed as a soldier, said he was on sick furlough, obtained lodgings, stole clothing, etc., and ' absconded. ( vii) Obtained a Singer's sewing machine on hire purchase system. He then called with same at a house and sold it for a small sum to a servant to whom he represented it was his own. The portrait is a good likeness. Specimen of handwriting at C. R. O. ris '!> Subsequent history M, The following persons who have already appealed ih Supplement A have been re- convieted as follows— 303. James Harris, Case No. 166 ( Vol. I.), was, as Robert Rolfe, at West Ham Pol. Ct., 31- 8- 27, bound over in £ 5 for 3 vrs. as a rogue and vagabond, loitering to pick pockets. Harry Oakes, C. R. O. No. 2080- 1902, James Thompson, C. R. O. No. 966- 1908, and William Young, C. R. O. No. 3784- 1899, were convicted with him. John Riley, Case No. 247 ( Vol. II.), was sentenced at Preston Sess., 31- 8- 1927, to 3 yrs. pen. for being in possession of housebreaking implements by night. Horace Nall, Cases Nos. 74 ( Vol. III.) and 86 ( Vol. XIV.), at the Court of Criminal Appeal, 25- 7- 1927, had his sentence reduced from 5 yrs. pen. to 3f yrs. pen. and at conclusion to serve the remaining 15 mos. of unexpired sentence. 304. Reginald Entwistle, Case No. 99 ( Vol. III.), was sentenced as Thomas Mercer at Preston Sess., 30- 8- 1927, to 18 mos. impt. for obtaining money and clothing by false pretences ( 2 cases). Represented his father was a wealthy farmer and that he had a large sum of money coming to him, agreed to buy aggrieved person's property and engaged a solicitor to transact the business. Also obtained money by stating his wife had died in a nursing home following an operation to her eyes. Asked for a loan of money to pay for burial certificate, promised to repay on receipt of assurance benefit. Seven other cases of false pretences and one of larceny were taken into consideration when sentence was passed. 305. Edward Leonard Oliffe, Case No. 214 ( Vol. IV.), was, as Leonard Olliffe, at C. C. C., 6- 9- 1927, bound over in own recognizance £ 5 for 2 yrs. for demanding money with menaces. Accosted a person in the street and threatened him with violence if he did not give him money. 306. Harry Brown, Case No. 179 ( Vol. V.), was, as Archibald Henry Brown, at C. C. C., 6- 9- 1927, bound over in own recognizances in £ 5 for 2 yrs. for officebreaking and larceny. Effected entrance by forcing office window on ground floor. 307. Daniel Harris, Case No. 251 ( Vol. V.), was sentenced as Daniel Murray at Lytham Pol. Ct., 29- 8- 1927, to 7 days impt. for loitering. George Measures, Case No. 391 ( Vol. VI.), was sentenced at Woolwich Pol. Ct., 29- 8- 1927, to 3 mos. impt. for being a suspected person, attempting to pick pockets. Charles Henry Noble, Case No. 426 ( Vol. VI.), was sentenced as Charles Henry Longday at Leeds ( City) P. Sess , 31- 8- 1927, to 3 mos. impt. for obtaining food by false pretences. Method as in Case No. 211 ( Vol. X.). Bruce Bowman, Case No. 492 ( Vol. VI.), at the Court of Criminal Appeal. 25- 7- 1927, had his sentence reduced from 5 and 5 yrs. pen. ( cone.) to 12 and 12 mos. impt. ( conc.) and the order relating to the disposal of the money found on him set aside. 308. William Blackman, Case No. 161 ( Vol. VII.). was sentenced as William George Blackman at Cambridge Boro. Pol. Ct., 30- 7- 1927. to 6 mos. impt. for ( i) larceny, lodgings and ( ii) larceny, bailee, ( i) Method as in original case, ( ii) Obtained a bicycle on the hire purchase system and disposed of same. 309. Joseph Wilson, Case No. 105 ( Vol. IX.). was sentenced at Keighley ( Boro.) Pol. Ct., 30- 8- 1927, to 3 and 1 mos. impt. ( cons.) for being in possession of housebreaking implements by night and larceny. 310. William Hurley, Case No. 373 ( Vol. X.), was sentenced at Bow St. Pol. Ct. ( L.), 9- 9- 1927, to 3 mos. impt. for stealing an attache- case from the platform of an omnibus. Douglas Frank Walker, Case No. 318 ( Vol. XII.), was sentenced as Harry Baker at Leicester ( City) Pol. Ct., 12- 9- 1927, to 6 and 6 mos. impt. ( cons.) for obtaining and attempting to obtain money by false pretences. Method as in original case. Similar offences at Lincoln. Lincoln ( Co.) and Peterborough were taken into consideration when sentence was passed. • LATEST INFORMATION. George Turner, Case Xo. 19 ( Vol. II.), was liberated, 13- 9- 1927, to Sheffield. Charles Holland, Case No. 32 ( Vol. II ), was liberated, 21- 9- 1927, into the M. P. D. Frederick Henry Simpson Paget, Case No. 324 ( Vol. III.), was liberated, 9- 9- 1927, into the M. P. D. Robert Henry Thomas Clive, Case No. 61 ( Vol. IV.), was liberated on licence, 16- 9- 1927, to Cardiff. Herbert Jones, Case No. 210 ( Vol. IV.), was liberated, 10- 9- 1927, into the M. P. D. William Hastie, Case No. 248 ( Vol. IV.), was liberated, 12- 9- 1927, to Darlington. William John Michael, Case No. 363 ( Vol. IV.), was liberated, 16- 9- 1927, into the M. P. D. Albert Yeules, Case No. 14 ( Vol. V.), was liberated on licence, 8- 9- 1927, to Leeds. Joseph Grant, Case No. 58 ( Vol. V.), was liberated, 13- 9- 1927, into the M. P. D. Intended address: 91, Brook Street, Kennington. » Harry Arthur Clarke, Case No. 250 ( Vol. V.), was liberated, 22- 9- 1927, into the M. P. D. John Gwynne, Case No. 266 ( Vol. VI.), was liberated, 8- 9- 1927, into the M. P. D. Charles McPherson, Case No. 386 ( Vol. VI.), was liberated on licence, 13- 9- 1927, to Glasgow. William Warner, Case No. 16 ( Vol. VII.), was liberated, 10- 9- 1927, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 412, Caledonian Road. John Williams, Case Xo. 269 ( Vol. VIII.), was liberated, 17- 9- 1927, to Shrewsbury. Alfred John Webb, Case No. 154 ( Vol. XII ), was liberated, 17- 9- 1927, into the M. P. D. Edward Cryer, Case No. 288 ( Vol. XII.), was liberated, 5- 9- 1927, into the M. P. D. Intended address : 175, Cambridge Road, Kilburn. Joseph Bourton, Case No. 163 ( Vol. XIII.), was liberated, 14- 9- 1927, to Birmingham. Harry Atkinson, Case No. 328 ( Vol. XIII.), was liberated, 10- 9- 1927, to Dewsbury. Frederick William Frank Gibbs, Case No. 3 ( Vol. XIV.), was liberated, 19- 9- 1927, to Dorchester. 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 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.