The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-06-11
DARING ROBBERY.
Five Men Armed with Revolvers
Board a Third Avenue Car.
They Brutally Assault and Rob
a Passenger.
THE GANG MAKE GOOD THEIR ESCAPE.

A bold and successful robbery occurred last night
on board a Third avenue car, which for the daring
manner in which it executed has seldom been
equaIed Car No. 123 left the Harlem depot at thirty
four minutes after nine o'clock. having on board
about forty passengers. men. women and children,
who were returning from picnic at Meroses II was
raining at the time and they huddled close
together Within leaving the quite deserted.
The weather did not however, interfere with their
10 the days frolic and the air
rcsounded with their songs and loud conversation.
II Is the custom OF the company to havo man sta
tioned at the Harlem depot whose business It ia to
collect from the conductors each evening the
moneys they receive for fares during the day, both
on the Third avenue limo and on the crosstown
which run through 125th street to Manhattanvilc.
The money collected placed In satche ana car
riod by the TO tho nam depot at the corner
of Slxty-fth street and Third avenue. MIR. Joseph
w. Lafetra, an old and trusted employee. who has
been the companys service twenty-five years, has
for a long time been entrusted with the work OF COL
lecting Tho money the conductors on the Cross
town iine and last night, usual, after making
MS accounts and placing the receipts, which
mounted to about $3.50. mostly In silver, IN HIS
leather bag took in tho rear end OF car No 1913
Tor the purpose OF riding to the depot at Sixty .hth
street.
The car proceeded its journey, the passengers,
uho Included a number OF members OF tho Eleventh
regiment in uniform, continuing their singing aud
bsis,erous behavior. Following closely in the wake
Of tho car pcdler's wagon, in which
were seated Eve rough looking fellows. such as
usually IN charge OF such vehicles. The con-
duclor OF the car, Charles Orr, nSst noticed
The wagon at 10th street, but paid
attention 10 IT, as II Is an ordinary
way down to the markets When near the corner OF
Nincty-fourth' street the two occupants Of tho
wagon suddenly Jumped 10 Lac s street ana:
platform while the conductor was In the forward
part OF the car collecting the passengers fares The
object OF their attack was Mr. Lafetra and three OF
the m surrounded him while the remaining two guarded
the Ono oil tho three who entered the
car The satchcl which lay IN Mr. Laetra's lap,
while tho other two assaulted him with The butts OF
their pistols He held firmly to the bag, but was
violently beaten that he relaxed his hold Tho
inmates of the car, when they realized
what going on, increased The noise and confusion
that already existed ana lady passengers alarmed
ut the sight of drawn revolvors, screamed
and ran toward tho front or the car. hem
ming in the conductor SO that he could
Lafetra who was being robbed before his
eyes Before he relinqusned possession OF
was shocked sonseiess and bleeding 10
the floor Of the The conductor as soon pos
tho platform only to be confronted by the
two ruilans, VINO, with pistols pointed al his
head, warned HIM against raising an alarm Thethree
entered the car, as soon as they had secured
their booty. out and jumped from the car,
shouting to their companions as they dd so
.'All right" Tho two VINO had stood guard followed
them quickly. and all i've remounting the wagon
dashe ed aown Ninety-third toward Second
and out OF sight.
THE ROBBERS FLIGHT.
The entire performance did not occupy one-half the
time II taxes record II, and before the car had
travelled block II was over. So, quickly
was the work done that the d1yer OF
Tho remained in ignorance OF what
hsd transpred until sudden and violent Juggling At
the car bell INN to check his horses.
There was not q policeman in sight aud
TO follow the fleeing robbers The male inmates
OF tho car, some oil whom under tho
influence OF liquor did good deal OF shouting, but
made effort Interfere with the dcsperadoes. The
his attention TO the bleeding form OF
MIR. Latcira, and alter raising him to hts seat he or
dered driver proceed rapidly possible to tho
nearest drug store The car stopped at tho corner OF
Eighiy-third street and Mr.. Lafeira was helped TO
reacn II. lie was bleeding IRON several severe con-
iusons OF the scalp and also from the
nosirls. neighboring doctor was sum-
moned, who attended him ana pronounced
Mr.. Laletras injuries serious. He was unable to de-
termine by q nasty examination whether tho mans
skull mad been fractured. Mr.. Laieira was soon re-
moved 10 his home at No 1856 East l24th street
Charles Orr, tho conductor, had his Clothes badly
torn received black eye his efforts to render
assistance.
Although the robbery occurred between nine and
ten O'Clock 1t seventeen minutes after
midnight before the Police Central Office
notified OF tho occurrence, and inen the
report merely stated tho fact OF the robbery No de-
Bcripton Of the roober has yet been furnished,
and there Is ut present but little hope that They win
ba caht