Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1891-09-26
GIGANTIC BANK ROBBERY.
London House Cleaned out of over
Million Dollars.

London House Cleaned out Of over y
Million Dollars.
The banking world Of London has just been
startled by the announcement that an import
ant bank robbery has taken place in the city.
The police and bank officials are trying to
keep the matter as quiet as possible. 50 that
the entire facts In the case are not obtainablo
at present. II Is known however, that tho
institution that has suffered Is the London
aud Westminster Bank (limitodl No. Al
Lathbury, L. G., an important establishment,
having over u branch houses ia London.
The money stolen, II would appear. consisted
Of large Parcel Of bills RENTED from tho
country banks to the London and Wcstmin-
ster Bank. The thief or thieves must have
eleyerly watched for the proper opportunity
10 accomplish the robbery and to have gained
oecess 10 an apartment near the main entrance
10 the bank. This apartment was easy Of 40.
cess from the street, and the parcel Of bills is
supposed 10 have been stolen while the bank
officials were busily engaged In another
apartment in going over the accounts Of last
weeks settlement
Both Dir. William Astle, the town manager
Of the bank, aud Mr.. II. r. Billingiurst tha
country manager. decline TO make any state
ment Ms TO the actual los incurred BY the
London and Westminster Bank, bat II IA cur.
rently reported that the amount stolen is not
less than 500 900, and that II may be ~ much
a. go 600.
The bank Officers. the city police authorities
and Criminal Investigation Department Of
Scotland Yard are putting forth the utmost
eKeriions in order 10 effect the capture Of tho
thieves Notice OF the robbery has been sent
10 the police centres throughout the British
lsles and on the continent, md The sailing of
every passenger vessel in being watched
Notice Of the robbery has also been sent 10 al
the banks upon which the bills were drawn,
but the police theory IS that no attempt will
be made TO change she bills In this country
but that the thieves Will have recourse 70 the
continent where the presence u 20 many
wealthy travellers from England and tho
United States makes such transactions easier
than IN this country.
The robbery Of the London aud Westminster
Bank recalls the fact that on February 10 last
a similar daring bank robbery took place In
the same ne ighbOrh00d. Upon that occasion
a stylishly dressed man necosied in the Ma
tional Provincial Bank Of England No ne
Bishopgate Within, clerk from the london
branch 0f the Bank of Scotland. This clerk
was IN the act Of making the deposit Of nearly
20, 900 at the public counter Of The National
Provincial Bank, and when spoken to by the
stranger he turned toward him and replied 10
his question.
Though this conversation only lasted mo.
ment or 80, m aceomplice Of the stylish
stranger snstched from the clerk wallet con
tanning Bank Of England notes 10 the amount
named and deeamped. In the confusion which
followed both the stranger and his hCcofnplicc
supposed by the police 10 be expert American
baBk-suenks. made their escape. The booty
thus obtained included Bankof Eogland notes
Of various denominations from 81 900 down
ward, and, 20 far ~ known neither the thieves
nor their plumber have since been heard Of
IT will also be remembered that quite re-
Gently IL was reported that the Bank Of Eng
land bad been robbed Of G250, 900 fSi. go, 000).
statement which vas denied By the officers
Of that bank.
AZ the time Of the National Provincial
Bank robbery the police authorities claimed
that II was the biggest haul" Of money made
by bank in generation.