Star.
London, England, 1828-01-18 00:00:00

ROBBERY OF THE LEDBUBY BANK.

There are some very curious circuinstances connected
with the perpetration of this daring and extensive robbery,swhich
have not yet been communicated tb the ptiblic. The two per.
sows who, beyond all doubt, committed the robbery in question,
Shad paid more than one visit to Ledbury before the last ocea.
lion, and were supposed to be London travellers, and therefore
attracted' no particular notice, and of course they took rate
to inform themselves of every circumstance connected with the
Bank, which cook/ on alkiweout their-views. The Banking-house
itself was not iokabited at night, but was taken care of" by an
ancient couple who occupied a small tenement adjoining and
front which tenement there was a door of communication with
the Bank. The old man, in addition to the emolument he re,
reined as the nightly guardian of the Banking Establishment
carried on the business ot a barber. He and his wife were botbot a
very religious turn of mind, and regular in their atteodance at
places of Divine Worship ; but were never known to go together,
because of the important charge entrusted to them • so that they
made their visits in turn. One of the two men alluded tb, spot
the last visit, went regularly every morning to the barbek's robe
shaved, and, having made himself acquainted with their habits,
he took care to provide himself with religious books, to-which
he drew the attention of the barber and his wife, and wadi! slt
and converse with them upon their favourite topic for an bout
together. His mangers were pleasing, his information, appa:
rently to them, extensive, and the old couple were Mite delighted
with this strange Geatlemen. On Friday morning last (the
robbery was coninsitted on the everting of that day) the strange
Gentleman" called as Weal to be shaved, and the convervatiori
taking the customary rites, be observed, diet a friend of Ms, 3
most pious, and an ekcerdingiy a6v4 WIN wes gang tb reach
that evening at a chapel, which he nan-i, and he wished he
could prevail on them to go to hear him. They would, he assured
them, be greatly edified, and their souls comforted by the ffiscourses
of his friend. They hesitated, sod be even offered to accompse}
them. This latter proposition was irresistible, and the barber
and his wife consented to go. He called in the evening, aed
they all went to the chapel together, the barber seeming his
-doors in the best manner the fastenings would allow. They bad
not bent long in the chapel, however, before the stranger whit.
pered to the barber that he was seized with a violent *min hi
bowels, and must retire for a time. He did not return ; and the
barber concluded be was worse, and remained until the conchs.
sion of the service. In the meantime the work of plender wa
going successfully on. The door of the barber's tenement was
opened with picklock keys, and an easy entry to the Bank was
effected in the sante manner. The woo chest from which the
greater part of the property was abstracted had a secret spring
but this the thieves discovered, and thus set at nought the in-
genuity of him who had constructed it. An iron safe,' however
in which some very valuable property was deposited, escaped ti.
villains; whether from its having pstssed unnoticed. or that they
were unable to open it, cannot be known. The thieves were many
miles from Ledbury with their booty before the robbery was dis
covered. An active officer has been to Ledbury to make iuquizies,
and to exanuue the premises,