The Massachusetts Spy

New York, Nov. 30.

DARING ROBBERY.

A robbery more daring in its plan and execution, yet more ingeniously and expeditiously detected, never, perhaps, was recorded in the annals of our city, than the one we are about to relate.

On Monday night, at half past 10 o'clock, a large pane of glass, in the window of Mr. A. H. Schuyler's Lottery Office, under the American Museum, was broken by five robbers, and two bundles of money, containing about $140, were stolen from the showboard. This daring act was done in one of the most busy parts of the city, while many citizens were passing to and fro, and while Mr. Schuyler, with his clerks, was in the office. The circumstances are these: Mr. Merritt, one of our most active and enterprising police officers, having last week received secret information, that the robbery was in contemplation, laid his plans with great ingenuity to permit it to take place, and immediately to arrest the robbers.

Mr. Schuyler has been in the habit of placing large sums of money at his window, wrapped up in bundles, and the amount marked on the envelope, which tempted the villains to their daring plan. Having suspicion, that if the robbery of the window could not be accomplished, it was the intention of the villains to way-lay Mr. Schuyler on his road home at night, and murder him, if necessary, Mr. Merritt, communicated the secret to him, and arranged that the robbery should be permitted to take place. Accordingly, Mr. Schuyler placed only two bundles in the window, to appearance as valuable as before, and marked a large amount on their envelopes—on each a fifty dollar bill being uppermost—though in fact both did not contain over $140—enough to make the offence grand larceny.

Monday evening, at half past 10 o'clock, the robbery took place—there were five villains, whose names are Elijah Sanders, Wu, and Russell Moore, Abraham Ricklow, and Francis Fayard. (One of them with a billet of wood broke the large pane of glass; another standing ready seized the money, and the other three stood on the side walk to facilitate escape, while they might seem guiltless.)

The one with the money ran down Vesey-street, part ran down Ann-street, and one mingled in a fight, which at that moment accidentally took place between some hack-drivers—all escaped, and, so expeditiously was the robbery committed, almost without pursuit. The very instant the deed was done, Mr. Schuyler hurried to the Park Theatre, where by appointment Mr. Merritt was to be found. This excellent officer, on receiving the information immediately took a hack, and drove to Broome-street, between the Bowery and Christie-street, where he had stationed five officers.

Mr. Merritt fixed on this station, as the rendezvous of the robbers was in a garret room of the Bowery House, at the corner of Broome-street and the Bowery, and a signal was arranged, by which the officers should know that the villains had lodged.

After waiting full half an hour, the preconcerted signal was given: he then proceeded to the spot, followed by the other officers. When he had ascended the stairs, and was within sight of the room, he saw the door open, and the five villains counting their ill gotten spoil—on discovering him, they blew out their candle and bolted the door, but a dark lantern being provided, Mr. Merritt burst it open and instantly with the aid of his assistants, secured the robbers, who were so much amazed, that they were unable to offer resistance. They were immediately conveyed, manacled, to the Police Office, where they were received by Justice Hopson and the District Attorney, Mr. Hoffman, who were anxiously waiting their arrival. After undergoing an examination, the whole five were fully committed for trial.

The money was all recovered: some of it was found on a bed, some on the table and some on the floor. There was also found on the robbers a hook, made of strong iron to which was affixed a noose; this they intended to have thrown on the knobs of the door to prevent Mr. Schuyler from opening it, to follow in pursuit—of this circumstance, Mr. Merritt was aware, but it seems they had not time to accomplish that part of their design.

Sanders and Ricklow are old offenders, the latter was pardoned from the State Prison only a very short time ago.

The Moores are good-looking young men—twins, and so much alike, that the one cannot be told apart from the other. They are perfect Dromios.