The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-01-14
A Clerical Book Thief.
A MASSACHUSETTS CLERaYMAN ARRI

MASSACHUSETTS CLERGYMAN ARRESTED.
The Boston Post of the 7th instant says:-
There was considerable rejoicing last evenlng
among the proprIetors of our leading book
establishments over au arrest made by Detective
Ohcer HUI OF shIe gd aud most successful
book thief, who proved to be clergyman by
tue name OF |. j. Sine, who resides at Somer-
vile, Mass. For "a number OF weeks the book
sellers on Washington and fremont streets
have, from time to time, missed valuable
volumes from their shelves and counters but
have been unable to detect the thief. Daring
the past three weeks their losses have been
numerous, the house of Messrs. De Vries, Ibarca
d Co. losing volumes valued at between 5000 and
$500. few days uce information concerning
these losses was lodged with the chief OF police,
and Detective Officer Hill was set to work on
the job
After few days skrmshing, he came to the
conclusion that Sue was the man he was atter.
lie accordlI gly tracked him from place TO place,
and first discovered that sine was constantly on
his guard never entering store until he Was
certain that no one was following him. Yester-
cay afternoon Hill followed him into fremont
street, and becoming satisfied that he was on his
way 10 Messrs. De Vries lbarra IL Co.'s store
the officer made circuit through Produce
street and some alleys, reaching the above house
some minutes before Sine entered, concealng
himself In q closet where he had previously
contriyed more convenient peep.hole. The
officer closely watched his clerical subject, and
IN a few minutes saw him conceal Two volumes
in the inside pocket OF his large overcoat and
make tor the door.
Hill Immediately arrested him, took the
property from his person, and then, aCCompa-
MED by clerks from the houses Of Little &
Brown and Mr. Piper he visited Sne's residence
in SOmerville, wheIe they found several hun
dred volumes of stolen books the property
belonging to leading book houses in this city.
These books weIe seized and brought to the
chiefs office, where our booksellers will have an
opportunity TO inspect them this morning, and
meet their old customer Sine. Some time since
be was suspected OF being thief by the propri-
etors fthe Unitarian rooms, on Chauncy street.
but being minister, it was thought they must
be mistaken. Mr.. Piper also had his suspicious
aroused, but was unable TO detect the adroit
thief.
'In further working up the case, Mr.. Hill has
discovered that Sine not only filed his library
By stealing valuable books. bat in addition made
a living in this way, stealing from one house
and selling to another. On Monday last he stole
two volumes OF Don QuiXote,' published in
Spanish, from Messrs. De Vres, Ibarra " Co.,
and on the same day sold them to Mr.. Piper, on
WASHINGTON street, tor three dollars and fifty
cents al d before leaving the store stole two
volumes valued at seven dollars each. During
his theving career he has frequently visited Dlr.
Loring's house. and in very quiet manner
made sale OF his stolen goods MIR. LOring
judging, from his good LOOKS easy maunets and
courteous address, that he was some edi or or
reporter engaged in writing literary notices.
Sine was taken 10 the Tombs, ana this morning
between 8 ana 10 O'Clock wilt be on exhibition
at the office OF the Chief Of Poiice.'