From the Kentish Gazette, 8 September 1838.

On Wednesday last information was received at the station houses and different police offices of the following extensive robbery having been committed at Deptford:— Between one and two o’clock on Tuesday afternoon four men, of genteel appearance, entered the "Robin Hood" public-house, in Church-street, Deptford, and proceeded to a room up stairs, in which they ordered refreshments, which were provided them. They had not been long in the house before another man on a black horse stopped at the door, and inquired for Mrs, Lee, the landlady, who, on going out to him, was detained some time in answering some frivolous questions which he put to her, and on her re-entering the house the four men came down stairs and went away. Shortly afterwards, on Mrs. Lee going to a bed room adjoining that in which they had been sitting, she discovered the door had been broken open, and on entering found the drawers had been forced, and a quantity of plate, 72 sovereigns and some silver, were taken away. There is no doubt the man on horseback was connected with the others, and that his calling was a ruse to withdraw Mrs. Lee from the premises.