New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-04-24
SLY THIEVES ARRESTED.
~A-FoE IN THE HOUSEHOLD.

"A fOE IN 1HE 1OUobiiObb'
ARREST OF A cHAMBERMAm WHOSE TERN or SER
VICE HAS BEEN AS SHORT As 1T HAS BEEN
COSTLY.
The robbery OF families by servants has been
very frequent during the past Winter Daily the police
have been informed OF thefs by theysh servants; the
discovery OF the loss of cosy jewels and other articles
being generally made after the flight OF servant rom
the house. The househoder's description OF the thef
was usually vague that the police found IL mposspo
to Identify the guilty person among tho hundreds
OF servants In tho city. Whenever a COM
plant was made the robbed person was shown
the portraits of professional thieves in the "Rogues
Gallery at police headquarters but such an attempt
20 Identify the thief failed In most cases. there being
hundreds OF hcvsh servants OF whom the police nave
no knowledge. There was, however, one remarKhole
face among the portraits OF female thieves whom many
persons instantly recognized the servant girl who had
stolen their property. All Of this class Of complanans
affirmed that tho woman OF very prepossessng
appearance that she had apparently good References
and that usually after stay OF only one day In house
she disappeared taking with her costly jewels or valuable
articles of slight bulk. The thief identified also had
another pecuarity-sho always applied for the position
OF chambermaid which enabled her to go oil over
house and to enter any without exciting suspicion
The portrait thus recognized was that OF Ann Kelley
alias Mary Kelley alias Mary Johnson alias Kate Con-
molly aged 25 She was arrested for robbery In 1867 by
Detective Keirps and sentenced TO a years at Sing
Sing After six months she escaped being the nrst
woman who ever eludcd the vigilance OF tho prison
guards and also OF the few persons who escaped
without receiving external aid On her return to New
York she told companions that she scaled the wall OF
the prison and thus escaped In 1870 she was again ar
rested for house robbery by Detective Kerns She was
sentenced six months imprisonment in the Penten-
tary and served her Germ. Soon after her release
she went TO New-Hayen and there committed house
robbery arrested and was sentenced to one years
imprisonment in the State Prison At the end Of her
term OF imprisonment she returned to this city.
The detectives had difficult task before them, mas
much as the thief remained short time in house,
and escaped before being suspected OF robbery An
analysis Of the reported showed that she was in
the habit OF going to house very early III the morning.
applying for situation in answer 10 an advertisement,
and engaged escaping with her plumber In the after
noon 1t also noticed that she selected the houses OF
wealthy persons which to apply for situation. Capt
Irving Of the detective squad put all his men, one after
another, her track. As soon an officer proved un
successful another detective substituted Thus the
search has for the past half year. until nearly
ali the officers have given up the task in despair. Within
the past fortnight the detective force have been some
what shameflced from knowledge OF the fact that
Gov Dix had become Of the unsuccessful attempts
to arrest Ann Kelley the fact having reached his ears
through the robbery OF the house OF member OF his
military stt, Gen. A g. Dunn, residing at NO. li9 East
Detectives Kerns and Kelso accomplished the task
yesterday They have devoted themselves to the duty
for the past MONTH and several times during that period
have had the woman almost in their grasp. Every
morning the detectives read the advertisements In the
newspapers for chambermads and then, taking cab,
rode house to house 10 set traps for the thief The
advertising for chambermads were visited, In
formed OF the object OF the search shown portrait OF
the thief aud requested 10 hire her II she came to the
house. The police could then be informed Qf her pres
ence and her arrest be secured. Several ladies' were
undoubtedly applied TO for situation by the thief
as they afterward gave an accurate descriP
ton Of her, but from their agitation In
making such discovery she became alarmed
and escaped from the house With this mode OF seeking
10 make the detectives also had joined ANOTHER
want. advertising, yesterday, they gave the name OF
an imaginary house upon vacant lot IN Eighteentlst
near sixthaye. They stationed themselves aTeach end
the block Of houses and watched for the coming OF
dressed passed by Detective kelSO and walked
direction Of the designated number AnOugn ne
had never the woman before lie instantly iuenJned
Ann Kelley and felt that the long search was al
last ended The suspected woman on reaching the
empty lot cast swift glance toward IL,
aud then, a. II susuectng that she was
watched quickened her pace. Detective kels0 walked
after upon opposite side Of the street Se Cd
served this movement OF his aud instantly turned INTO
the yard OF house descended into the area way anu,
boldly opening the hall door entered the house Detect
of Detective Keso and both officers entered the house
They found Aun Kelley in the halwayand arrested her,
the woman being Instantly recognized by DetectlVe
Keirns Tue prisoner taken to Police Headquarters,
where she confessed her guilt.
the afternoon the following persons called at Police
HEADQUARTERS and identified the prisoner as the pre-
girl who robbed their houses OF jewels
ranging from 500 to 500 Mrs. A H. Yates OF
Twenty ninth ST.; MIS- John Hayiland OF NJ 3j4
West Thirty secondst., ana Mrs A. g. Dunn OF No. l49
East Eighty fours The prisoner Will be taken before
Justice Hogan at the Tombs Police Court to-day but she
may be renanded 10 Police Headquarters. IN order TO
afford other persons !who have been robbed Jan OppOr
tunity to Identity her.