The Sun.
London, England, 1851-10-16 00:00:00

ROBBERY AND ATTEMPT TO SHOOT

A POLICEZIIAN.

We scarcely remember an instance in which we
have :wen called upon to record a more fitgrant out-
rage thsn was committed on the night of Saturday
last; in the midst of one of the greatest thoroughfares
ot Plymouth. Lawrence Rooney, an itinerant men-
der ot 'melon glass, spectacle frames, &c., was wend-
ing her way homeward, about the hour of twelve at
night, when the box which he carried at his back, and
which was very similar in appearance to that used by
travelling jewellers, arrested the attention of two
soldiers belonging to the 19th Regiment, named Revell
and Grimes. The first mentioned, after endeavour-
ing to possess himself of the box in Bedford-street,
followed Rooney to the corner of the post•office,
where he knocked him down, and then ran off with
his prize. The outrage did not, however, pass un-
observed, chase was given, and Revell having thrown
away the box, but still finding himself hard pressed
by a policeman, drew forth a pistol (subsequently
found to have been loaded), and threatened to shoot
the officer, who, however, nothing daunted, knocked
the pistol aside, and succeeded in capturing the ruf-
fian. The name of the other soldier, who made his
escape when the robbery was committed, having been
obtained, both were, on Monday, brought up in cus-
tody before the magistrates sitting at Guildhall, and
were remanded until Thursday.
Mr. Jeffery, Lockyer-terrace, Union-road, was the
first witness. He said the prisoners came to my shop
and asked for some caps, shot, and gunpowder. I sold
them ld. worth of each ; they told me they wanted it
for a pistol ; described the pistol as a large one.
Samuel Hawken—On Saturday night the prisoners
came into his uncle's beer-shop, and had a pint of beer,
and one of them asked where there was a gunsmith's
shop; the other said they wanted four caps and some
shot ; and he directed them to Jeffery's. Saw no pistol.
Lawrence Rooney—l am a glass grinder, spectacle
maker, &c. About twelve o'clock on the night of
Saturday last, the 4th, I was walking up King -
street towards the Pos-office, carrying my box,
hang to my shoulder by a strap. The box was
closed but not locked. I first met the prisoners on
the other side of the Woodman. I was walking very
fast and overtook the prisoners, dressed as soldiers.
I wished them good night as I passed, and one of
them replied in the same words. I walked on
through Frankfort-street and Bedford-street, with-
out talking. They kept close by my side until
we got near the Bedford Inn, in Bedford-street,
when one of them got hold of my box and gave it two
or three twitches, trying to pull it off my shoulder. I
tried to keep it, and said, " Holloa, what are you
about, ?" Neither of them made any answer, and I
had not spoken to them, nor they to me, except what
I have stated. When it was pulled I got off the pave-
ment into the street, and walked on towards the
post-office. They stopped on the pavement walking
after me until I came to Morrish's corner. I lost sight
of them and walked as fast as I could home through
Whimple-street, until I was in front of the post-
office, which is about 40 yards from the corner where
I missed them; I was then knocked down by one of
them, I cannot say which, and my box was taken
from my shoulder by Revell immediately after I re-
ceived the blow, and he ran down St. Andrew-street.
I did not see the other soldier until after I had passed
the corner. I was tripped up from behind, and a blow
on the back of my head either with the fist or flat
hand. As soon as I got up I shouted " stop thief,"
and followed him down St. Andrew-street, shouting
as I ran. When I got down to the bottom,
through Notte-street, and against Messrs. Scott's
brewery, in Hoe Gate-street, I saw police-officer
Croker, and the prisoner Revell scuffling on the
ground. At the bottom of St. Andrew-street I met
Leeworthy, who gave me the box. I saw the police-
man endeavouring to wrest a pistol from Revell, and
Croker got it from him and fired it off in the air.
Prisoner was brought to the station-house by the
police. I took the box home, and in the course of the
night police-constable Colton came for it, and it is the
same now produced. The box was made for carrying
jewellery.
Police-constable John Croker—l was coming up
St. Andrew-street on the night of Saturday last,
shortly after twelve, and met Revell running down
the street from the direction of the post-office, and
heard somebody from the top of the street shout " Stop
him !" I put out my foot as he passed to trip him up,
but I did not, and as he passed on I observed a box on
his left shoulder. I ran after him. At the bottom
of St. Andrew-street he threw the box over his
head. At this time I was about four or five yards from
him. The box was thrown towards me. I did not
stop. Saw Leeworthy close by when he threw it
back. Prisoner ran through Notte-street, and turned
up Hoe Gate-street. Near Messrs. Scott's brewery
he turned round and said, "If you come near me I'll
blow your brains out," at the same time presenting
a pistol. (The pistol was here produced— a very
large one, with a cap lock, and was marked "B. 0,
and is one usually carried by preventive officers.) I
ran to him, and caught thA pistol by tho barrel -with
the left hand, and the prisoner with the right
hand. I got him down, and a man came to
my assistance, and knelt on his breast while
I got it away, and when I did so I full
cocked it, and fired it off in the air. While we were
struggling, he took it away once, but I immediately
got hold of it again. With the assistance of two or
three persons, I carried him to the station, and while
there he collared me again, and Colton collared him.
While there, he gave his name Thos. Brown.
The prisoners were then fully committed for trial
at the next assizes at Exeter.

Two officers of the 19th Regiment were in at-
tendance to watch the proceedings.
The hall was densely crowded during the examina-
tion.—Plymouth Herald.