Hastings and St Leonards Independent, Thursday March 17 1881

HAYWARD'S HEATH

A MYSTERIOUS ROBBERY

A circumstance enshrouded in mystery has occurred at the house of Mr. Parrott, who resides at South-road.

A Miss Wallis has apartments at the house, and on Friday evening she missed a work-box from off the drawers when she went to bed. A smaller box had been moved out of its place on to the bed. The missing box contained papers, ornaments, three sovereigns, several foreign silver coins and two empty bead purses. It appears that a nephew of Mr. Parrott's found the front door open about nine o'clock, but Miss Wallis did not mention the loss of her box until the next morning.

On Sunday Mr. Flesher found the box intact in a pond at the back of Mr. Parrott's house. It may be assumed that, as the police had been communicated with, it was put into the water to prevent detection. Nothing was removed from the box.

AI analysis of the mystery...

This robbery is unusual for several reasons:

1. No items stolen – The box contained money (three sovereigns, foreign silver coins), ornaments, and papers, but nothing was taken.

2. Box moved deliberately – A smaller box was moved onto the bed, suggesting the intruder handled multiple items, not just grabbed one.

3. Front door open – A nephew of Mr. Parrott noticed the door open around 9 o’clock, indicating either forced entry or someone inside already.

4. Delay in reporting – Miss Wallis did not mention the missing box until the next morning. This could point to confusion, forgetfulness, or something more suspicious.

5. Box found in pond – Mr. Flesher discovered it intact in a pond behind the house. Police thought it was thrown in deliberately to avoid detection (perhaps by washing off fingerprints or hiding the evidence temporarily).

6. Possible motives

   • Attempted theft gone wrong: The thief may have panicked and dumped the box.

   • Inside job: Someone in or close to the household may have staged it (the delay in reporting could suggest this).

   • Prank or warning: Since nothing was stolen, it may not have been about money.

Essentially, it reads more like a failed theft or a staged incident than a typical robbery.