The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-10-07
Police Intelligence.

IMPOSITION ON THE FRONT STREET GRoCERS-A
BOLD TRICK, BUT CAUGHT AT LAST.
For some three weeks past young Of clerk like
appearance, named George Rice, well understanding the
business habits Of the Front street merchants has
practispg species of deception Of peculiar character
whereby he obtained various sums Of money averaging
from $50 up to S15o-in fact this genius is almost
second I" Confidence man, only another system
However the progress of this adventurer was suddenly
stopped: Tuesday afternoon by calling in the aid
policeman Hill, Of the First ward who conveyed Mr.
Rice to the station house. where he remained until yester
day morning, when conveyed before Justice Wood at
the Tombs The following facts then developed to
the magistratre
turday afternoon Rice called at the store Of Kent Low
Der Co No Front street wholesale grocers Walked
boldly up to the desk and asked Mr. Perkins of the
finn if he had any uncurrent money, remarking that
Ssmuel Perry wanted to borrow from about $50 to
$500. Mr. Perkins knowing Mir. Perry to keep store
next door, and as it was customary TO loan money to
each other in that way accommodation, Mr. Per-
kns supposDg Of course that Rice Perry clerk.
counted out all the uncurrent money he had which
amounted to $50 Rice took the money and remarked
that he must 60 and drum up the other fifty elsewhere
As Rice lift the store door Mr. Perkins noticed tn he
went in the opposite direction, instead Of going into
Perrys store this fact he thought strange and
bought struck him to go after him. but before he
hen actrtared that Mr. Perry had not sent in for any
money, nor was Rice in his employ. The boldness and
business manner of Rice in king for the loan,
petey threw Mr. Perkins off his guard and parti-
ulary as the face Of the accused was very familiar al
hough he did not know his No more was heard
If this operation until last Saturday when he again
appeared in Front street, visited the store of
Mr. Robert NJ Masttron, wholesale grocer No 60 Front
street walked up to the desk in business manner and
asked If they had any uncuirant money Wilson and
Cobb (who kept next door, wanted borrow 500! Mr.
Masterton net having more than SO, counted the
same and handed it to Rice, who remarked, when
receiving 1t, that he must go further and get the
other s25 Rice left the store. and went directly
into the store Of Wilson Cobb's, next door. Mr..
Masterton saw Rice so next door, but not knowing
the clelk. he directed the into Wilson
Cobbs, and nscertain if it all right The porter
went as directed and he entered the store Rice
just leaving and before the necessary inquiry could
made. Rice had vanished out of sight The porter,
however, acertaned that Rice clerk in that
store nor had that finn sent to borrow any money Rice
only entered the store for the purpose of carrying out the
deception Mr. Masteton the subsequent facts show
As an excuse for entering the store OF Wilson Cobb
he inquired Of the porter in the store If he knew cart
man IN the neghborhood named Fellows and then i'm.
me diately left the store.
The of the previous operations evidently gave
Rice perfect DonchaleDce Thursday Of this week
he again appeared among the groces Believing them to
be first rate chaps, he daringly visited the very
vicinity where he had lately dcrauded the Others In
this instance he cred the of Warren Co No
81 front street and in the as above de-
scIhed went to the desk and asked TO borrow $3.50 for
sherman & Collins. gioccrs the way This time
unfortunately for Rice but fortunately for Mr.. War
rem ,the operation Of this Confidence individual
had become known an oug the merchants in that
DeiShboIhood, and at once he was suspected. MOI
said Mr.. Warren, I'VE have not got that amount
TO accommodate Alessrs. Sherman & Collins
you clerk for Sherman Collins ?' said Mr. War.
Ien Yes" replied Rice II ann and left the store mme
da'ey crossing the street and TO go into
sherman & Collins store No sooner had he entered
than Mr. Warren followed In after him and inquired of
the prsnretors Of the store pointing to Rice If he
one Of their clerks No, was the reply. Rice finding he
was detected he'd out Of the store and took to his
heels for escape; pursuit instituted alarm of stop
thief was rased, and the imposter was captured
after short and placed under the charge Of police
man and is now LOGGED In the Tombs awaiting his trial
for cor strucvc larcenics 1t Is presumed that other
complaints will yet be brought against him. as soon as
bis arrest becomes known Already Is that
several OF the stores where he visited they refused
loan any money In instance strange to say where
be aKed for $500 they told him they had $780, which they
offered to loan but he refused to take It. and left the
store. The prisoner be for identification by
applying to the sitting magistrate at the Tomb,.