Escaping from Pentridge Prison in 1869, the 50-year-old Power turned to highway robbery and became known as a bushranger. A reward of £500 was offered for his capture (a large sum of money at that time). There were claims that during these robberies Power had a young assistant who took care of the horses. Suspicion fell on the then 16-year-old Ned Kelly. Power himself was captured on 5 June 1870. Power believed Ned Kelly had betrayed him, he was arrested while sleeping in a hut on the Glenmore Run which was squatted by the Quinn family, Ned Kelly's grandparents and uncles.