New-York daily tribune., 1856-01-17
ARREST OFA SHREIVD CONFIDENCE
NAN
HIS EXTENSIVE AND SUCCESSFUL OPERA
TIONS

IIONS.
One of the most successful and adroit conbdeoce"
men that has ever pacticed upon the creduty Of our
citizens was srrested yesterday in broadway, after
having successfully carried on his operations Tor
nearly four mouths in spite of the efforts of the Police
TO capture him. He first made his appearance IN the
city early in last October he having previously oper
ated in Southern and Western cities. On the 18th OF
the month last named he called at the store Of Tiffany
& Co.. and purchaseda bill of jewery to the value OF
s7s representing at the time that he ono of the
frm OF Peterson & IIumphry, carpet-dealers at tho
corr er of Broadway and White street, where be re-
ouested that the jewelry should be- sent at certain
hour At the appointed time the g. confidence" man
saw the messenger approach the store, and manedi-
atey entered il himself with much confidence o.
though he owned the whole establishment, walked
behind the desk, and receiving the goods made out q
check on the Broadway Bank for the amount, and
signed il "Thos. Bancroft" This was handed 70 the
messenger. who left with it; but when it pre-
sented on the following day TO the bank IL did not
bring the dollars. About ten days previous to this
transaction, the confidence man entered the lewelry
store of Robert Raft, Broadway corner Of Warren
street aud bought watches aud ewery TO the value OF
1870 and ordered the package sent TO No. Barclay
street at late hour Of the day. When the time ar
rived he was at the store in question, making himself
very oficous about the desk, he having previously
represented TO Mr.. Rsit that he connected with
the house aud on the package being delivered to
him. he drew upa check for the amount OF the bill on
the Broadway Bank and signed it Benz. Greer. This
be handed 10 the messenger and proved 70 be worth
les. Complaints began TO pour in upon the Chief
Of Police and officer Keefe set 10 work TO search
for and arrest the swindler but while he wss being
looked AFTER and on the 18th of October word came
that Greer had obtained siOo worth Of watches and
jewelry from messrs. Jackson g. Many, the corner
of Bowery and Broome streets, a worthless check
on the BScadway Bank, signed "Thos. Bancroft"
he was next heard of the 22d of December, when
10 obtained $500 worth of jewelry from saml. Bald
wn esq., Importer Of Jewelry, at No. ITO Bowery, He
received these goods at No. l2 Dey street. and there
gave in payment worthless check on the Broadway
Bank, sgnd "Thos. X. Wilson," On the 3lst ult. he
came the confidence game over Mr.. +. w. Leak,
from whom he obtained in a similar manner
set Of furs valued at s65. To the check which be
gave for this bill be signed the name of james t.
Treadwen." The 18th of January he was again heard
Of having on that day swndled Mr.. A. Morel Of Mas
sau street out OF 500 worth Of watches who received
o. pay a worthless check on the Mercantile Bsnk,
signed "Jarnes X. Treadwen." A day or two 6nce
he purchased goods 10 the amount Of o. o3o from Mr.
Fry jeweler in the Bowery and ordered them sent TO
No. 10 Park place. lie was on band when the goods
arrived, but for some reason became frightened and
m out Of the storea fortunate circumstance for Mr..
Fry. Mr.. Keefe, the officer, had all this time been
on the lookout for the swinder bat not being succes
ul be resolved to try another plan TO catch him. He
accordingly visited several loan Offices and other places
where he supposed the offender would be hkelyto
cal for the purposes Of getting cash advances On bis
good, and on biz own responsibility he offered re-
ward for the arrest of the man. Fortunately, Mr..
Carroll doing business at No. 34e Broadway, wse one
whom the officer called upon, and he knowing the
operator, volunteered 10 assist in finding him. Yes-
terdsy Mr. {. espied him at the corner Of Broadway
and Broome street. and handed him TO the custodyof
officer He was then taken 10 the Office OF the Ckief
Of Police, where after having had time for reector,
be mae full confession to Officer Keefe and Ser.
geant Bowyer, telling them 10 whom be bad dsPosee
Of the good, &c. II Is presumed, therefore, thsf
most Of the property will be recovered. Who, be-
side those above named have been swindled 4 70 i'm
possible TO tell but all who have the prisoner
at the Chiefs Office. He was yesterday Irecoerized
by seyera merchants aud clerks who had been swin-
did by him. His name Is Benjamin Greer; be =
Ir.hman, Of gentee appearance, and about % years
Of age. He Il also well educated and II A sad has on
various occasions passed himself OF ss pssscbsr6 Of
the gospel, and given eIhorations before oos-ega-
tons He states that be has syoung wife, wks fevs
nothing of bis operations, and who win be vs4hsd
down With sorrow when ths fsct Of hs Crts keocurs
Known to her. .... t .., &C.,. 10 ,,....
F..