The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-09-30
From the New York Sun, September "5l
SOMETHING NEW IN SWINDLING.
How q Bogus Policeman nnd his
Prisoner SwindIe ed Newark Trades


On the $40 A. NJ train which arrived
in Newark on the | 7th inst. from Phil
adelphia, were two flashily attired
young men. They went to the Park
Hotel, where they breakfasted and pro-
cured room. A large leather travel
ing bag, containing their baggage, was
taken to their room, where they re-
mained until about one o'clock in the
afternoon. They then went from the
hotel, telling the clerk that they would
occupy the room that night. Previous
to leaving the hotel the Oldest of the
men inquired Of the clerk concerning
the detectives of Newark, and particu-
larly about one Of them whom he pro-
fessed to know intimately. They had
plenty of money and seemed to be gen.
tlemen. They registered themselves as
C. w. Vandyke and Oliver Halnes, OF
Philadelphia. Vandyke's inquiry
about the police force and the detectives
OF the city led the clerk to suppose that
he was himself a detective on the Phil
adelphia force. About dusk Vandyke
returned to the hotel and went up to
his room. The clerk did not see him
again. He recollects seeing a police
man pass through the office out OF the
front entrance at about half-past seven.
He did not know the officer, nor under
stand mis- presence in the hotel.
About half-past ten Haines entered
the Office and told the clerk that in
consequence OF receiving a telegram
from home he would be compelled to
leave that night. His bill wac present
ed and paid, and be went to his room to
tell Vandyke and get his travelling bag.
When he came down stairs he said that
his friend would not leave that night.
Haines then took his departure, and
Yesterday morning it was discovered
that Vandyke had also gone. Yester'
day morning the Third Precinct Police
Court OF Newark was thronged with
witnesses and spectators. Among them
were many tradesmen and their clerks.
They watched the disposition Of the list
of drunks and vagrants with deep con-
Germ to it's close. Then look OF blank
suspense overspread their faces. Pres
emily one Of them stepped up to an
officer OF the court and asked:
"When::does Detective Nandyke ap-
pear with his prisoners 2
Detective VandykeY said the Off.
Ger. II don't know any detective OF
that name
The group which had collected near
the officer during the inquiry were
overcome with astonishment.
"Why, what about him p asked the
officer.
There was a great deal about him. as
appeared from the explanation which
followed, and when it was shortly after
ward discovered that Mr.. Vandyke was
not on the detective force, but was 8
counterfeiter and a swindler, a most
dismal howl went up from the assem-
bled crowd. They had all been the
dupes of the bogus detective.
The way in which they were swindled
was explained. During the afternoon a
Young man whom subsequent investi-
CATION has shown to have been Oliver
Haines, OF Philadelphia, visited their
respective establishments, and effected
small purchase, paying in each in.
stance a genuine United States bank
note. After perambulating the city
until Ct o'clock 10 the evening, and
purchasing small articles until he had
disposed OF about two hundren dollars
worth of greenbacks, and received his
change, Haines had returned to the
hotel but did not 60 inside. The first
part Of bold game had been played,
but its completion required the assist
ance OF Vsudyke, his pal. This gem
tlemau was prepared for his part. As
soon as it had grown dark he issued
from the hotel in q guarded aud quiet
manner, in the uniform OF q policeman,
and taking Haines BY the arm the two
went to revisit the scenes OF the latter 9
operations during the afternoon. The
| first place they visited was Simm's drug
store in Bond street Here Vandyke
ascertained from which clerk Haires
had made his purchase, aud asked to
see him. The presence Of policeman
with . prisoner in charge attracted the
attention of all the employees in the
store.
did this man make any purchase
here this afternoon
] Clerk-Yes, I think be bought some