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Summary: Caught At Last. (Star - Christchurch, 2 November 1888)
On November 1, 1888, a young man named Thomas Gleeson, also known as Thorea Thomson, was brought before the Police Court in Invercargill, charged with breaking into a shop in Princes Street, Dunedin, on October 21, and stealing various items including jewellery and clothing. Gleeson, at 18 years old and originally from Auckland, had been suspected of committing several robberies in Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin but had managed to evade capture until his arrival in Invercargill.
The investigation commenced when Sergeant-Major Ramsay received a telegram indicating Gleeson might be attempting to flee to Melbourne via the Bluff. Following the lead, the police established that Gleeson had traveled to Invercargill on the Clinton train, accompanied by two portmanteaux and an iron trunk. After checking into the Railway Hotel, he became the target of police scrutiny.
On the day of his arrest, Sergeant-Major Ramsay approached Gleeson’s hotel room, initially meeting resistance as the door was locked. After some delay, the door was opened, revealing an iron trunk filled with stolen goods. Although Gleeson denied owning any portmanteau, a search under the bed uncovered a concealed leather trunk that he later admitted belonged to him, although he still claimed there were no other bags.
Following the discovery of more evidence, Gleeson was taken into custody and brought to the police station. Shortly after, Constable Maddern arrived from Dunedin and identified several items in Gleeson’s possession as stolen. Further investigation uncovered the missing portmanteau and a breechloading gun at auctioneer Mr. Todd's salerooms, both of which had been placed for sale by Gleeson.
The total value of the stolen goods in Gleeson’s possession was approximately £40 and included an assortment of items such as clothing, jewellery, pocket cutlery, tobacco, cigarettes, and firearms. Ultimately, Gleeson left for Dunedin under the escort of Constable Maddern, continuing the legal proceedings related to his criminal activities.
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