Washington sentinel., 1855-02-03

stable of the c division, No 80, who has been |
attached to the force several years, and has
usually done du'y in private clothes, was
brought up in custody OF Inspector Darkin
and Sergeant Langley, charged with having
been, in great number Of cases, the accom-
plice of convicted thieves. M
During the detention Of the prisoner at the
police station, before the examination COM
menced, he made desperate attempt to es-
cape from the custody Of the sergeant; but he
was speedily oyertaken and secured, with the
assistance of other officers.
1t was understood that the prosecution had
been directed by the Police Commissioners, in
consequence of certain disclosures which had
been made from time to time by the young
criminals confined in the House Of Detention,
several of whom we're brought to the court
under the charge of the prison officials to give
evidence. A statement Of the preliminary in
quiry was handed up to the magistrate by Su-
perintendent Pearce.
John Reeves weldressed youth, Of some
intelligence, apparently was then examined.
He said he was Ia years of age, and knew the
nature of an oath, although he never took one
before. He knew. that it bound him to speak
the truth.
Mr.. Hall-But do you know what will hap.
pen to you if you tell q lie?
Witness.-I shall be punished.
Mr.. Hall.-But don't mean in this world.
/ mean hereafter-in the world to come.
Witness.-Yes; shall offend in the eye of
the Almighty.
Mr. Hall LIT I.:. Lo ,uvIu.
Examination continued.--I am now priso
ner in the Westminster Bridewel. was sent
there on the I'd Of May last. / was tried at
the Westminster sessions for picking pockets,
av,I, r.xn,Sa ~ II
know the prisoner King; he was policeman.
He first knew me as pickpocket.; About
this time last year met him By appointment
at the Luke's Head public house, in Little Pull
tenay street; two other boys were with me,
named Donovan and Arrendon. He said he
| whould show US place where we could get
| some money-a place where there were lots of
ladies. 1t was a few days after Christmas.
| King went with us through Berkley square to
the Serpentine, in Hyde Park. King pointed
out lady to me in Berkley street, and pick
ed her pocket. got purse containing G3
los, all gold except SIS. King told me that he
knew that should get /" skin" from her.
/ gotit by putting my hand into her dress !
gave the money to King, as we'll as two other
purses, which succeeded in getting from ladies
--one Just before and one afterwards. The
money was equally devided between King, me,
and the two other boys, about an hour after, at a
public house where we took refreshments. After
this we went to the Serpentine, and King took US
| up to the bridge, where great many ladies and
| gentlemen were looking over at the skating
which was going on there. He said there were
/ plenty Of people there that might get some
thing there. He pointed with his stick to a
lady and gentleman who were leaning over the
bridge, and | and the other boys went up to
| r nj olya al he lad Iu'a bat &c
containing halfa- sovereign and seven shilhngs.
King was about four yards off at the time and
saw me do it. He then beckoned to us with a
stick, and when we were a little way off he
took the purse from us, emptied it, and put it
into the hole of tree. He gave the money to
Donovan to keep till we could get some more.
He told us it would not be safe to stop any
longer on the bridge, but said we might do
something under the bridges, where there were
a great many people under the arches. We
went down there, and picked ladys pocket
of handful Of loose silver. ! did not count it,
| but passed it over to Donovan. could not do
| anything more there. King said it was q
measly sort Of place, and it was no use stop
ping. The money was divided about seven
o'clock the same evening, at public house in
Chelsea. II was the large public house oppo-
site the eabstand, about three doors from Sloane
street. Donovan and the other boy were much
older than me. l was never tried for any OF
these offences. ] first mentioned them about a
month ago to Mr.. Lawrence, one of the officers
of the prison. ] mentioned something about
King to one or the visiting magistrates. was
never promised any reward or forgiveness for
what told, and never expect any. The next
day after going to the Serpentine we met
again, by Kings desire at the Luke's Head,
and he took us to a bank at the corner of a
| street in Pall-mall. Donovan and Arrendon
stopped two or three ladies there, but could
not get anything from them.
Mr.. Hall.-It seems that you we're always
selected to pieR the pockets. Was that be.
cause you were considered the most expert
hand?
Witness.-Yes, was more up to it, and had
the smallest hand. Not being able to do any.
thing at the bank, we went to a large print
shop where crowds of people are always look.
ing in at the pictures King was with us there.
got purse with f2 IS. g. in it from a woman.
| We divided il at a public house at the corner
Of st. Martins lane, near the church, and the
purse was thrown away. After that we went to
the enclosure in the park, but We got nothing
there. was taken up in April and committed
for trial by the magistrate. Up to that time,
ever since January, King had been constantly
Il i
was taken. He met me, Donovan, Arrendon,
and boy named Franks, at halfpast eight, in
Regent street. He said be had some business
to attend TO, and went towards Vine street.
We got gold lever watch once, when King
was with me, from lady in the Newroad.
King took me to the place, and Arrendon
showed me the lady. 1t was a wedding party.
Arrendon had the watch TO sell for as, and he
| said that he sold IL for CA. The money was
divided between him, King, and me. My com.
panions we're not taken into custody with me;
they escaped.
Mr. Hall.-What was the largest amount
Of money you ever obtained in this way in one
/ week2
| Witness.-I have got between ESQ and fl0O
in one week by pocketpicking. King shared
that money with me and the others. II was
about six weeks before i was taken / picked
from about one to FIVE pockets per day gener-
ally.