Having deserted his Master's Service, he took Shelter in the House of Mr. _Charles_ in _May-Fair_, near _Piccadilly_, and his Landlord having a Necessity for some Repairs in his House, engag'd one Mr. _Panton_ a _Carpenter_ to Undertake them, and _Sheppard_ to assist him as a Journeyman; but on the 23rd of _October_, 1723, e're the Work was compleat, _Sheppard_ took Occasion to rob the People of the Effects following, _viz._ seven Pound ten Shillings in Specie, five large silver Spoons, six plain Forks ditto, four Tea-Spoons, six plain Gold Rings, and a Cypher Ring; four Suits of Wearing Apparel, besides Linnen, to a considerable value. This Fact he confess'd to the Reverend Mr. _Wagstaff_ before his Escape from the Condemn'd Hold of _Newgate_. _Sheppard_ had a Brother, nam'd _Thomas_, a _Carpenter_ by Profession, tho' a notorious Thief and House-breaker by Practice. This _Thomas_ being committed to _Newgate_ for breaking the House of Mrs. _Mary Cook_ a _Linnen-Draper_, in _Clare-street, Clare-Market_, on the 5th of _February_ last, and stealing Goods to the value of between 50, and 60 l. he impeach'd his Brother _John Sheppard_, and _Edgworth Bess_ as being concerned with him in the Fact; and these three were also Charg'd with being concern'd together, in breaking the House of Mr. _William Phillips_ 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.