Cambridge Independent Press 27 Jan 1844: hens and ducks stolen
Depredations. — There have been many robberies in this neighbourhood during the last week, we regret to say, as there always are at this period of the year, but very few of which find their way into the public prints. At Trumpington, Mr. Toller had 100 fowls and ducks stolen in the night, and the thieves had the hardihood to drive their cart into his farm-yard; the thieves, however, in this case have been discovered, and are in custody — some of the stolen ducks being found in a man’s pocket on Sunday. — Mr. Howard, of Granchester, has also been robbed. And on Sunday night not fewer than three attempts were made to break into the henroost of Mr. T. Willimott, on the Trumpington-road, but the men were disturbed each time by the vigilance of his nephew, and he has since offered a reward of £5. for their apprehension. These villains travel in a light cart (there are three of them) which, in this case, they drew up close to the paling, and on being disturbed, they gallop off at a great pace. It is pretty certain that the cart (a very narrow one) came from Cambridge, and it is somewhat mysterious that the police on duty cannot trace it.