PETERSFIELD.
BURGLARIES
BURGLARY.—During the night of the 4th inst., a burglary was committed at the house of Mr. Goater, in the Golden Ball-street, making the third up to that time within the fortnight, and but a short distance from each other; the two first appeared in out last week's impression. It appears that the house was entered by taking out a pane of glass from a back window, through which an entrance was gained to the front room, over the mantle of which two watches that were there hanging were taken. Suspicion falling upon the sister, Adelaide Thorn, information was given to the police, who traced her on to Soberton, where she was found in company with James Didimus (with whom she was cohabiting), and one of the watches was found in her possession, upon which they were both taken into custody and brought to the station. On Wednesday the prisoners were taken before the Hon. J. J. Carnegie and remanded till Tuesday.
ANOTHER BURGLARY.—Between the hours of 12 and one o'clock, on the morning of Thursday last, the inmates of Mr. Small's drapery establishment in the Square, were disturbed by a noise in the house, which first attracted the attention of the housekeeper, who having listened for ten minutes, called Mr. Privett, who with three assistants, got up, but too late to arrest the burglars, they having in the meantime made their exit by the same way they had entered, the back premises, and over the meadow behind. Upon the police reaching the spot it was found that a wire grating over the cellar window had been removed, and an entrance effected through the same to the stairs below.
A SECOND BURGLARY was effected on the same night as the above, and distant half a mile, at the Bushes Farm House, in the occupation of Mr. Thomas Amey (who resides at the Marsh Farm, Steep), dairy farmer, and government contractor for the supply of the "Dessicated milk." In this case an entrance was gained by professionally cutting out a portion of glass from a window at the back, sufficient to introduce the arm and undo the fastening. The burglars (as it is evident that more than one was concerned), proceeded over the lower portion of the house to the front part, used as offices in which the desk and drawers, with two cupboards were broken open, and the papers ransacked. It is a little singular that the only locks not forced was one on a drawer, that contained upwards of three pounds in copper, and the other on a cupboard, in which were several bottles of wine. Little doubt is entertained but that money or silver was the object of the nocturnal visitor as nothing else was disturbed; of whom up to the time of writing no clue has been obtained.
A NEW ALARM SIGNAL.—Consequent upon the several burglaries committed within the last fortnight, a great amount of fear not hitherto known has been created, particularly amongst the fair sex, and many are the contrivances against the approach of thieves that have been resorted to, one of which, as an alarm signal, we subjoin: On Friday last the well known purveyor of fish, fruit, &c., &c., left his residence adjoining the railway station, in the morning, with his cart well stored with supplies for his country customers in his business rounds, and did not reach his home upon return till the hours of the day had gone by, and the inmates were soundly reposing in the arms of Morpheus. Having entered his premises by a side way, and dome the needful both to horse and self, he ascended above, and joined his sleeping partner in rest. Upon rising at early dawn, he proceeded to open house, which he found strictly fastened, and upon sliding the front room window sash, the alarm signal sounded, and no mistake, to his utter surprise and amazement, which proved to be a large frying pan which his better-half had so gingerly fixed as to fall to the floor upon the least disturbance of position, and signal the approach of the dreaded visitors.
Hampshire Advertiser, 2 May 1868
PETERSFIELD, Saturday, May 2.
DARING BURGLARY.—During the night of Monday two daring burglaries were committed in the outskirts of the town which showed the businesslike proceedings of professional "cracksmen," as it is pretty evident there were more than one concerned. It is not known which first came under the hands of these efficient thieves, but it is believed the first was effected at Heath Lodge, the residence of our respected curate, Rev. Henry Haigh. The house is situate at the extremity of Golden Ball-street and adjoining the Heath, the front of which faces the road leading to Harting. It appears the entrance was effected by forcing a French window opening on the Lawn, on the west side of the house while the family, including the rev. gentleman, his lady, children, and servants, were resting in undisturbed slumbers, and so quietly and effectually was the burglary committed that no one was awakened, and it was not discovered until the morning, about 6 o'clock, when the gardener entered the grounds. The quantity of silver stolen was not what the perpetrators probably expected, but we hear that about £26 in value was taken, the fellows proving their professional judgement to a nicety by carefully avoiding every article of electro-plate which came in their way during the ransacking of every room below.
THE SECOND DARING BURGLARY AT HEATH HOUSE.—During the same night a second burglary was effected at Heath House, the residence of the Hon. Captain Hylton Jolliffe, M.P., about half a mile from the town, and but a short distance from the above. It appears that the entrance was made at the back part of the mansion, and is supposed to have been between some iron bars fixed in one of the back office windows. There can be no doubt but that the act was committed by the same accomplished thieves as in the preceding case, but their object of obtaining silver or other valuables was frustrated from the absence of the family, with the exception of the children, the two nurses, the cook, and gardener, who were sleeping in the house, although every likely place of deposit was ransacked, and some breakages made in the lower portion of the house, but nothing has been missed, and the burglars made their exit by the door of Lord Hylton's room, which opens upon the lawn, in the door of which on the outside the key was left.