ROBBERY
On Saturday night, 13 January 1849, a highway robbery occurred near the Retreat Inn, at Brunswick. Mr Morris a publican residing in Kilmore, was driving home … in a spring cart, in company with a friend, … when … they were pounced upon by three men who appeared to be armed; … one of the party held the horse, … while the other two robbed their victims of cheques and orders, and about 30s. in silver, with which they decamped
The Argus Fri 19 Jan 1849 p4
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On Saturday night last, a robbery was committed on Mr. Nodin’s premises, which from the singular circumstances connected with it, we cannot pass over. A large dog of the Newfoundland and Kangaroo breed, was fastened with a chain to the wall of a cellar beneath the new stores of Messrs. Strachan & Co., … in Little Collins Street. In the morning when someone belonging to the establishment went down to bring the dog out, he found not a trace either of the animal or its chain and collar. There were several men sleeping on the ground floor, but could tell of nothing likely to afford clew to its recovery.
Port Phillip Gazette (Vic. : 1838 – 1845) Sat 23 Feb 1839 Page 2
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HIGHWAY ROBBERY – On Friday night last a highway robbery was committed in one of the streets of Melbourne, which exceeds in audacity any previous outrage of the kind since the settlement of the province. The victim was a Mr. John McIntyre, an overseer in the employ of Niel Black, Esq., who, about 11 o’clock on that night, when on his way to his lodgings at the Caledonian Hotel, was assaulted in Swanston-street, by four or five men who rushed out upon him, thrust a handkerchief into his mouth, caught him up in their arms, and carried him into the bush about a mile beyond the new gaol, when they laid him down, bandaged his eyes tightly with a pocket handkerchief and tied his wrists and arms with cord. The highwaymen then rifled his person, taking from him several cheques, 15 one-pound notes, a silver watch, maker’s name Thompson, a brass chain and two keys, and a quantity of loose papers. Having secured this plunder, they loosed the bandage from Mr. McIntyre’s eyes, and the cords upon his arms, and then made off, telling McIntyre that he might go where he pleased. – Geelong Advertiser, Wed 22 Jan 1845, p.2
ROBBERY IN A DWELLING.
William Moss, George Maynard and Henry Somerset … were indicted for stealing 8 half-crowns, 20 shillings, 10 sixpences, 6 fourpenny pieces, 8 threepenny bits and 12 pence, the property of William Pickett of the Salt Water River. The prisoners pleaded not guilty…
William Pickett, the landlord of the Salt Water River Inn sworn — I remember the 13th February. I was at work a little distance from my door, when my Missis called to me, and told me that three men had robbed the house. I mounted my horse and rode after them, and told them to come back. Maynard seized the horse by the bridle, and Somerset knocked me down with a stick. On getting up, Somerset came up to me with a knife open in his hand, and made a blow at me … but the knife closed … The jury retired for about half-an-hour, and on their return … found the whole of the prisoners guilty, and his Honor sentenced Somerset to five years hard labour on the roads of the colony; Maynard to three years hard labour on the roads and Moss was remanded for sentence. – The Melbourne Daily News, Thu 22 Feb 1849 Page 2
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Daring Attempt at Robbery,
and Capture of the ROBBER.
Courageous conduct of a female
One of the coolest attempts at robbery that we have heard of for a considerable time, was tried on (fortunately unsuccessfully) on Friday evening last, by an unmitigated scoundrel. The villain, who it would appear had been prowling about the streets looking out for a favourable opportunity of exercising his peculiar bent, the appropriation of property not his own, had seen a chance of walking unperceived into the shop of Mr. David Dunlop, confectioner, Collins-street. Whilst Mrs. Dunlop and a young female who assists in the shop were employed in a back room, the fellow sneaked in and ensconced himself behind the counter, with the intention no doubt, of remaining there until the inmates had gone to bed, when, as a matter of course he would have subjected the place to a thorough overhaul.
Just as the shop was about to be closed for the night, a little after ten o’clock, Mrs. Dunlop having occasion to go behind the counter stumbled over the burglar’s legs, who, unfortunately for himself, had not been able to compress himself into a compass small enough to be completely out of the way … on perceiving her very unceremonious customer, Mrs. Dunlop, with a courage which does honor to her sex, sprang upon the villain and attempted to secure him. Miss Mooney, alarmed by the noise, ran to the door and called out for assistance (Mr Dunlop himself happened to be out at the time.)
A severe struggle ensued between Mrs. Dunlop and the robber, in the course of which she was struck by him several times and thrown down twice, and although the fellow made almost supernatural efforts to get away, she managed to hold him until assistance arrived. In the course of a few minutes Mr. Dunlop and a considerable number of persons were on the spot, and the villain was secured and marched off to the watch-house.
On Saturday, the man was brought before Major St. John [and gave his name as Thomas Morris] who was of opinion that he was a rogue and vagabond, and thought a sojourn for three months in her Majesty’s gaol, and kept to hard labour would do him a world of good. – Port Phillip Gazette and Settler’s Journal (Vic.: 1845 – 1850) Mon 28 Feb 1848 Page 2