ps_ in _Drury-Lane_, and stealing divers Goods, the Property of
Mrs. _Kendrick_ a Lodger in the House, on the 14th of the said
_February_: All possible endeavours were us'd by Mrs. _Cook_ and Mr.
_Phillips_, to get _John Sheppard_ and _Edgworth Bess_ Apprehended, but
to no purpose, till the following Accident.

_Sheppard_ was now upon his wicked Range in _London_, committing
Robberies every where at Discretion; but one Day meeting with his
Acquaintance, _James Sykes_, alias _Hell_ and _Fury_, sometimes a
Chair-man, and at others a Running Foot-man. This _Sykes_ invited him to
go to one _Redgate's_, a Victualling-house near the _Seven Dials_, to
play at _Skettles_, _Sheppard_ comply'd, and _Sykes_ secretly sent for
Mr. _Price_ a Constable in St. _Giles's Parish_, and Charg'd him with
his Friend _Sheppard_ for the Robbing of Mrs. _Cook_, &c. _Sheppard_ was
carried before Justice _Parry_, who order'd him to St. _Giles's_
Round-house till the next Morning for farther Examination: He was
Confin'd in the Upper part of the Place, being two Stories from the
Ground, but 'ere two Hours came about, by only the help of a Razor, and
the Stretcher of a Chair, he broke open the Top of the Round house, and
tying together a Sheet and Blanket, by them descended into the
Church-yard and Escap'd, leaving the Parish to Repair the Damage, and
Repent of the Affront put upon his Skill and Capacity.

On the 19th of _May_ last in the Evening, _Sheppard_ with another Robber
named _Benson_, were passing thro' _Leicester-fields_, where a Gentleman
stood accusing a Woman with an attempt to steal his Watch, a Mobb was
gathered about the Disputants, and _Sheppard's_ Companion being a
_Master_, got in amongst them and pick'd the Gentleman's Pocket in good
earnest of the Watch; the Scene was surprizingly chang'd, from an
imaginary Robbery to a real one; and in a moment ensued an Out-cry of
_stop Thief_, _Sheppard_ and _Benson_ took to their Heels, and
_Sheppard_ was seiz'd by a Serjeant of the Guard at _Leicester_ House,
crying out _stop Thief_ with much earnestness. He was convey'd to St.
_Ann's Round House_ in _Soho_, and kept secure till the next Morning,
when _Edgworth Bess_ came to visit him, who was seiz'd also; they were
carried before Justice _Walters_, when the People in _Drury-Lane_ and
_Clare-Market_ appeared, and charged them with the Robberies
aforemention'd: But _Sheppard_ pretending to Impeach certain of his
Accomplices, the Justice comm