The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — 1825-01-24 (London, England)

ANSLEY. The circumstances of the case against them were singular, developing a well-planned extensive robbery, detected and prevented by accident alone. Mr. Kent, Russia merchant, has very extensive premises in Falcon-street, Aldersgate-street ' • they are occupied wholly in business ; nobody sleeps there, and his men generally leave their employ at six o'clock at night. it happened, however, on Thursday last, that one of Mr. Kent's men, who kad been sent out with the waggon, left it in die street while he went ii.to a public-house to drink, and in the interim some one had driven it off, and the carman, after much inquiry, getting no trace of it, returned to tell 3lr. Kent of his disaster. He despatched people in all directians, and the cart was ultimately found. These circumstances had kept Mr. Kent himself, and several of the men, about the premises tall late in the evening. About eight o'clock, Higgins, one of the men, having occasion to go down into the cellar with a candle in his hand. saw a man (the prisoner Jones) close by the dust-bin, which was large enough for him to have hid himself in, but Higgins had come upon him too suddenly, and knowing that he was probably out of the hearing of any body, and suspecting that Jones might be armed, he seized upon him without much parley. Jones struck his candle out, and resisted violently. Higgins, however, still held him, and hallooing " murder" with all his strength of lungs, was very fortunately heard by some of the other men, who ran to his assistance, and the prisoner was secured. Taylor, an officer, was sent for, and on searching the fellow, found all the necessary implements and accompaniments for housebreaking, viz., a phos phorus box, matches, and candle, skeleton keys, a small and a large crow-bar, &c. &c. As the premises are closed at six o'clock generally, and would have been so closed that evening but for the circumstance about the cart, the prisoner had entered and made his way to the cellar -before that hour, and as it would have been unsafe to have attempted anything till towards midnight, he had pre. pared to enjoy himself in thy interval, and had accordingly brought with him some bread and cheese, his pipe and some tobacco.— With a view to detect his accomplices, who, it was expected, would be making their appearance about the premises to be let in by him, it was determined not to give the altrrn by taking him off at once to the Compter ; and a temporary prison was accord. ingly made of Alr. Kent's large iron safe, which they. cleared of all its books and papers, and locked him in it. The prisoner took all this very coolly for an hour or two, begging only, when they went to give him air. that they would take him off at once to the watch. house or the Cornpter, as he was getting so d—d cold and uncomfortable, with which request they at length complied. A good look-out was kept about the premises, and early in the morning, before day-light, two or three fellows were seen lurking about, and one, in particular, peeping occasionally through the key-hole. The description of this fellow answering to that of John Pipe, who had formerly been in Mr. Kent's employ, he was sent for, and recognized by a boy of the name of Daniels, who had seen him two or three times in the very act of peeping, and John Pipe was accordingly taken into custody as an accomplice. lie, however, disclaimed all knowledge of Jones; and there being no direct proof to connect him with him, he was dia. charged, with a serious admonition from the Alderman. Jones, under the adrift of a lawyer,looking personage, who attended on his behalf. declined saying any thing in his defence at present, and was committed for trial.