Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-09-22

Bills Worth Probably "a Million Dollars
Deity Stolen.

Dihe "Ortn froDaDly Million Dollars
Deity Stolen.
The banking world of London has lust been
startled by the announcement that an i'm
portant bank robbery has taken place in that
city. The police and bank officials are irving
TO keep the matter quiet as possible So that
the entire facts in the case are not obtainable
at present. 1t is known, however, that the
institution that has suffered is the London and
Westminster Bank Qimited). No.41, Lathbury,
L. c.. an important establishment having over
fifteen branch houses in London.
The money stolen, 1t would appear. consisted
of a large parcel of bills RENTED from the
country banks to the London and Westminster
Bank. The thief or thieves must have cleverly
watched Tor the proper opportunity TO accom-
plish the robbery and to have gained access 10
an apartment near the main entrance TO the
bank This apartment WAS easy of access from
the street and the parcel Of bills is supposed TO
have been stolen while the bank officials were
buslly engaged in another apartment in going
over the accounts of last weeks settlement
Both Mr.. William Astle, the town manager of
the bank, and Mr.. Ii. 4. Biilinghurst the couu-
try manager, decline to make any statement
for publication as to the actual loss incurred by
the London and Westminster Bank but il Is
currently reported that the amount stolen is
not less than sioO,OO0 and that 1t may amount
TO as much as Il, $50, 900.
The bank officers, the city police authorities
and the criminal investigation department of
Scotland Yard are putting forth the utmost
exertions in order to effect the capture of the
thieves. Notice of the robbery has been sent
to the police ccnters throughout the British
Isles and on the continent and the sailing of
every passenger vessel is being watched Notice
of the robbery has also been sent to all the
banks upon which the bills were drawn, but
the police theory is that attempt will be
made to change the bills in England, but that
fha will haNa 81,
where the presence of SO many wealthy travel
ers from England and the United States makes
such transactions easier than in England.
This robbery of the London and Westminster
Bank recalls the fact that on February IL last
similar daring bank robbery took place in the
same neighbOrhood. Upon that occasion q
stylishly dressed man accosted in the National
Provincial Bank Of England, No. liz Bishop
gate Within, q clerk from the London branch
Of the Bank of Scotland. This clerk was in the
act of making the deposit of nearly $50 900 at
the public counter Of the National Provincial
Bank, and when spoken to by the stranger he
turned toward him and replied to his question.
Though this conversation, only lasted a moment
snatched from the clerk wallet containing
Bank of England notes to the amount
named and decamped. In the confusion
which followed both the stranger and bis ac-
ccnptce, supposed by the police to be expert
American bank snesks made their escape.
The booty thus obtained included Bank Of
England notes Of various denominations from
81 900 downward, and, so far as known,
neither the thieves nor their plumber have
since been heard of.
1t will also be remembered that quite re-
Gently it was reported that the Bank of Eng
land had been robbed of f25O 900, a statement
which was denied by the officers Of that bank.
Al the time Of the National Provincial Bank
robbery TIE police authorities claimed that it
was the biggest haul' of money made By
bank sneaks" in generation.