The Sun. — 1852-09-28 (London, England)

CONFLICT BETWEEN A BURGLAR AND A POLICEMAN AT HIGHGATE. One of the most desperate single-handed midnight encounters which has been known for many years, of a similar nature, occurred late o❑ Saturday night last, between A police constable of the S division, at Highgate, and a professional housebreaker, which had well nigh ended in murder or homicide, and may yut terminate in the death of the burglar. The following particulars were collected at the University College Hospital, where he is now lying, and it is to be regretted that the constable's name was not left there, as his conduct reflects the highest credit upon him.  It appears that about half-past ten o'clock the constable (233 S) was proceeding quietly along the road, near Highgate, having been only a short time on his beat, when he saw a tall, powerful-looking man approaching him, carrying a bundle, and trying to avoid him, as if in haste. This excited the constable's suspicions, who stopped him and required to know what he had, at the same time discovering a gun under his arm ; the answer given not being satisfactory, the officer desired him to proceed to the police' station, which the other demurred to, with imprecations, and endeavoured to pass on ; but the officer seized the property and the man, the litter in tarn laying hold of the policeman, and swearing that if not permitted to go unmolested the constable's days were numbered. A fight commenced, managing to disarm nine of his gun, but being, ut the same time, the policeman Prevented himself from giving any alarm. frequently rolling about They fought and wrestled for a considerable time, advantage on either side, until the burglar, getting made the most determinedhold of the constable's bead, the road, without much into the sockets. Fortunately, by forcing the thumbsonstable was enabled to get his tat; e andc and inhuman attempts to gouge skit his eyes, struck his murderous assailant over the and so prevent the horrible athim for the. moment,es. Following up the advantage, he tempt on his ey n 3 completely hors de combat, and some soon put hi . both men were conveyed to the assistance arriving, . . asst. at Highgate, where, upon examining station-house . it was found to consist of wearing the property, . into armu no, eel and other articles, whilst the gun, upon being `proved,a was found to be charged with heavy shot. It has since been ascertained that the articles were actually the produce of a robbery which had been enmitted eta gentleman's house in the neighbourhood that very evening. On looking to both the policeman and the robber, it was discovered that they were considerably beaten, the former having suffered extensively about the eyes by the brutal attempt at gouging. He has been placed under the care of the divisional surgeon, whilst his antagonist was immediately conveyed, in the custody of two constables, to University College Hospital, one of whom remained with him ; and he will be removed, if practiaable to the infirmary of the House of Detention, Cleek'enwell, until they can both appear before the magistrate. He has given his name as C. Johnson, is about 40 years of age, and says he came from Manchester a few days ago. It is thought by the police that he is one of the Pug recentl known as the " Northern Banditti," consisting of seven armed desperadoes, three of whom were apprehended last y week, one each in the towns of Bradford, Liverpool, and Manchester, and Johnson makes the fourth. He is very ill—dangerously so—from the blows of the policeman's staff about the head. Telegraphic messages have, it is said, been forwarded to the north to ascertain his identity. The Metropolitan Police Commissioners were apprised of the event early yesterday morning by a mounted express.  NANy,