The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1869-01-21
A Formidable Gang of Horse Thieves
Broken Up,
ARREST OF THE RINGLEADERs.

ARREST OF The EADEhS.
For the past year or two Carbon, Luzerne,
Monroe, Northampton, Schuykill, Bucks,
Berks and Lehigh counties have heen infest-
ed with what was supposed to be gang OF
horse thieves. Many valuable horses have
been stolen, us we'll as carriages, buffalo
robes, &c, and in but few instances recov-
cred again by their owners. Those return
ed were brought ba ck by the offer a liberal
reward, which was generally pocketed by
pocked by some interested party in the gang.
About two months ago, two horses and
wagon were stolen at Riegelsville, Bucks
county. Bills were printed and sent out all
over the county offering reward for the
recovery OF thief and property, but no trace
was obtained until about len days ago de-
tectve officer Of Reading, who had heard of
the theft, accidently overheard a remark
made by two parties in conversation, that
'.the Riegelsville horses went to Hazleton."
The detective started at once for the latter
place, and in livery stable there found the
horses He questioned the attendant as 10
how the horses came there and was told
that the proprietor, Jacob Roth brought them,
there. Roth was found and questioned. but
could give no satifictory answeras 10 how he
came in possession of the animals, when he
was placed under arrest and taken to Doyles-
town, locked up in Jail and subsequently
released on $4,000 bail. About the same
time, suspicious character was arrested at
Hazeleton, who, becoming alarmed, divu ged
the whole secret of the existence of a most
formidable gang of horse thieves. He gave
The names of thirteen who were known to
operate, nearly all of whom have been ar
rested. He also gave description of the
modus operandi: A horse stolen in this Sec
tion oi country was at once taken south from
here and transferred to some member of the
band, who would transfer it to another, and
he still another, when the animal would be
sold TO some unsophIsticated Individual, who,
if called upon for the horse by the owner, of
course, could not give the name of the party
| of whom he bought it. Carriages were taken
10 an isolated point near Hazleton, where all
the appliances were ready, and they received
complete overhauling in painting and TRIM
ming, making so complete charge that the
owner himself could not recognize his pro-
perty. Robes and whips were also mani
pulated 10 avoid cognition, and thus their nef-
arious work was carried on. A large amount
of property has thus been stolen and disposed
of, and no doubt the profits of the gang were
quite large.
Roth is young man, formerly from Sau-
con township, Northampton county, where
his family is well known and highly respec-
ted, his father being wealthy farmer and
one of the most respectable citizens Of the
township A few years since, young Roth
went into the livery and horse jockey busi-
ness at Hazleton, and was continually re-
ceiying fresh horses from ''down country" as
he expressed it, which were disposed of as
opportunity offered. These were evidently
the fruits of his colleagues la5ors in the
lower counties.
The breaking up of this gang Of villains
will be gratifying news to all honest people,
and we hope no efforts will be spared 10 fer.
! ret out and bring every one OF them TO JUS
tice.