Robbery - Dark Stories True Crime Tours

1864: William Carver Hanged at Melbourne Gaol for Armed Bank Robbery at Fitzroy

On 14 July 1864, four men, Samuel Woods, William Carver, Jeremiah Phillips, and James Anderson, stormed the Fitzroy branch of the English, Scottish, and Australian Chartered Bank. Woods entered first, confronting the manager John Dowling at the counter, threatening to shoot him and producing a pistol during the struggle that followed. The gang was arrested and committed for trial, the Crown prosecutor arguing that even those who stood watch outside the building shared equal guilt with those who entered.

Carver was convicted of shooting with intent and hanged at Melbourne Gaol on 3 August 1864.

Waltz in a backroom 1864 Fitzroy bank robbery with pistols and knife

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Australia Execution Fitzroy Melbourne Murder Organised Crime Robbery Trial VIC

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1864: Samuel Woods Hanged at Melbourne Gaol for Armed Robbery and Shooting at Fitzroy Bank

On the morning of 14 July 1864, four men, Samuel Woods, William Carver, Jeremiah Phillips, and James Anderson, stormed the Fitzroy branch of the English, Scottish, and Australian Chartered Bank. Woods entered alone, advanced toward the manager’s private room, and when confronted by manager John Dowling, threatened to shoot him. In the struggle that followed, Dowling fought to redirect the pistol as Woods fired. Anderson, who had not entered the building, stood watch outside and fled after the robbery, making him equally liable under the law.

All four were brought before the City Court, represented by Crown Solicitor R. F. Gurner, and committed for trial. Woods was convicted and hanged at Melbourne Gaol on 3 August 1864 for shooting with intent.

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Australia Execution Fitzroy Melbourne Murder Organised Crime Robbery VIC

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1926: Royston Rennie Hanged at Perth for a Train Robbery Murder

On 3 June 1926, Royston Rennie boarded a train between East Perth and Perth stations and attacked two employees of the National Bank of Australasia who were transferring a large sum of banknotes from the Maylands branch to head office. He bludgeoned 15-year-old junior clerk Douglas Favas into unconsciousness and fatally shot senior clerk John Roger Greville, seizing the cash before fleeing. Rennie had spent weeks ingratiating himself with locals, posing as an aviator seeking work with W.A. Airways, and had borrowed a pistol from a Bassendean acquaintance under false pretences.

Tried before Justice Northmore, Rennie pleaded not guilty in a low but firm voice. The testimony of young Favas, himself a victim of the attack, proved decisive. The jury convicted, and Rennie was sentenced to death. He was executed at Perth on 2 August 1926.

Royston Rennie the gentleman killer from Perth executed in Fremantle

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Australia Execution Fremantle Murder Perth Robbery Trial WA

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1721: Matthew Clark Hanged at 24 for the Murder of a Maid Near Willesden Green

Matthew Clark, a footpad from St. Albans, murdered Sarah Goldington, a maid at an alehouse near Willesden Green, stabbing her in the throat and cutting her neck to the bone before robbing the premises. He was 24 years old. Pursuers caught him shortly after when they noticed blood on his shirt sleeve, and he confessed before standing trial at the Old Bailey.

Clark was executed on 28 July 1721. His capture came swiftly, his guilt established by blood on his sleeve and his own words against him.

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