The Tote's Streaking Thief


Here is a funny story about the Ivanhoe Hotel in Collingwood, its now called The Tote. Not much has changed since the 50s, I'm sure they still get the occasional streaker. There's something I wonder about this story, was he a local because he wouldn't have got far with no pants? Its funny to think this could been someones grandfather's dirty secret. 


The Argus – 19 December – 1955
Crowd gapes at pant-less thief
A "STRIP-TEASE" thief last night dashed down Collingwood streets clad only in a singlet and left his loot behind - in his pants.
Mr. Albert. Lewis, licensee of the Ivanhoe Hotel, Johnston st. Collingwood, and his son,Howard, saw a man creeping down the stairs from the first floor at 7.30 p.m.
When Mr. Albert Lewis asked him what he was doing, the man replied: "I've been up seeing my girl friend." Mr Lewis said: "There's no one upstairs. I'll ring the police. We can't have this going on." The man pleaded, "You don't have to to do that" and bolted for the front door.
Mr. Lewis rushed forward and slammed the door as the man ran out, trapping him by the left foot. Mrs. Lewis rang the police while Howard and another man ran to a side door. But the man had quickly slipped off his trousers and shoes and was already dashing down Wellington st. into Johnston st. Startled pedestrians gaped as the man dodged between cars at the Johnston st. intersection, desperately pulling his singlet down with one hand as he ran.
A police patrol car cruised around Collingwood, but the man had vanished. In his trousers police found a gold watch and several packets of cigarettes belonging to Mr. Albert Lewis.

the infamous stairs at The Tote

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