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Today in History: Armed Robbery in Tottenham Ends in Tragic Suicides

1/23/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On January 23, 1909, an armed robbery occurred in Tottenham, North London, targeting workers' wages from the Schnurmann rubber factory. Thieves Paul Helfeld and Jacob Lepidus, Jewish Latvian immigrants, engaged police in a two-hour chase, firing approximately 400 rounds. The incident resulted in 23 casualties, including two fatalities, before the criminals took their own lives.

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Story summary

On January 23, 1909, an armed robbery occurred in Tottenham, North London, targeting workers' wages from the Schnurmann rubber factory. Thieves Paul Helfeld and Jacob Lepidus, Jewish Latvian immigrants, engaged police in a two-hour chase, firing approximately 400 rounds. The incident resulted in 23 casualties, including two fatalities, before the criminals took their own lives.