On Sunday evening through the exertions of M’Levy, the criminal officer, three women and twelve men were apprehended on suspicion of being concerned in the robbery of jewellery from a pawnbreaker’s shop in Aberdeen in the early part of this month. Three men, named Campbell, Thomson, and Williamson, were taken into custody at Aberdeen when the robbery was discovered, but there being insufficient evidence against them, the first was sent to Edinburgh, where there was another charge against him, whilst the other two were acquitted. They also, it seems, came to Edinburgh, where the police authorities kept an eye on their movements.

On Saturday, M’Levy heard that they had gone off by early train to Aberdeen; and suspecting that their object was to get the booty and bring it to Edinburgh, he watched at the railway station for their return. Failing to meet with them there, it occurred to M’Levy to visit a house in Chapel Street, kept by a man named William Flinn. With three other detectives he accordingly visited the house on Sunday night, and came upon both Thomson and Williamson seated comfortably at a costly dinner.

A small travelling bag which was in the room was found to contain 17 gold watches, 23 silver watches, 177 rings, 19 silver guard-chains, 3 silver Albert chains, 3 gold Albert chains, and 4 gold guards, being the greater part of the goods stolen from the Aberdeen pawnbroker. The two men were at once apprehended, as were also thirteen other persons, including Flinn, who were found in another room. The whole of the prisoners were yesterday placed at the bar of the Police Court here, and remitted to the Procurator-Fiscal in Aberdeen.

The Courant , Tuesday October 20, 1857