QSR1897/4/5/4a

Depositions of William Harry Wren and William Chamberlain. In the case of Charles Wood, accused of stealing a hearth rug.

8 September 1897

From: 1897 To: 1897

William Harry Wren: a furniture dealer of 27, Park Square, Luton. The prisoner, Charles Wood, was in his employment as a porter and fitter for around 16 years. About the end of August, in consequence of suggestions from the police, he made note of his stock of rugs and made private marks on all the rugs. On 31st August the prisoner entered his shop around 8.45am. He was keeping watch from his office when he saw the prisoner take a rug off a pile on the counter and take it into the basement. The prisoner had no business to take or move the rug in question. After the prisoner went into the basement he saw the prisoner come up the basement steps into the yard. The prisoner had the rug with him when he crossed the yard into the stable. After about a minute the prisoner left the stable and went out by the back way into Church Street carrying a parcel. He could not see what the parcel contained though its size and shape resembled a rug. About midday he was sent for to Mr. Harman’s, the pawnbroker, where he identified his stolen rug by the private marks he had placed on it. William Chamberlain: a detective sergeant with the Luton Borough Police Force. On 31st August from information received he apprehended the prisoner and charged him with stealing a rug from Mr. Wren’s shop. The prisoner replied that he should not have done it and thought that it would have done Frederick Barber good. Charles Wood: Nothing to say only that he is guilty.

item

Wren, William Harry,
Chamberlain, William,
Wood, Charles

LUTON, stealing, furniture, detective, dealer