Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-04-01
BURGLARS OCCUPIED IN BUR-
CLING.
Two Daring RObberIes Committed
How the Festive Burglar Now
WOFks-Ladders Used on Public
STRAIGHTFORWARD offered.

STRAIGHTFORWARD offered
The existence of an organized gang Of
burglars and housebreakers in this city has
been demonstrated by the numerous rob-
berries which have been committed of late,
and their success and skill In operating are
evidenced by the few captures that have
been made. Mention Of several of these
robberies has been suppressed, in the delu-
sive belief that the detectives would have
better opportunity Of tracing up the perpe-
traitors, but sufficient number have been
mentioned to show that there are many and
bold criminals of the burglarizing class in
this community, and they are becoming
holder and more daring in their operations.
Yesterday morning the discovery was
made that two robberies had been perpe-
trated during the night, which for the
boldness displayed and the fact that the
burglars had succeeded in escaping, posi-
bly, has no parallel in the calendar Of SINH
lar crimes committed here. On Wednesday
night the employees IN the clothing and
boot ard shoe establishment of Mr.. B. H.
Levy, at the southwest corner Of Jefferson
and Congress streets, were engaged at work
until half past eleven O'Clock, when the
store was closed up, and everything was ex-
amined and found to be all right. Mr..
Levy had just received his spring stock and
had increased his insurance $4,000, and
hence his CONSERVATION may be imagined
when his store was opened yesterday morn
ing and he found that his place
had not only been entered and
robod, but that the invaders had built
fires on the upper and lower floors In var
ious places with an utter disregard of the
consequences, and that the place was not
burnt out is due more to fortuitous circum-
stances than anything else.
AS soon as the discovery was made, al
thorough examination Of the premises fol-
lowed, when it was found that the burglars
had effected entrance through a window on
the second floor, opening upon Jefferson
street, which had been reached by means of
a twenty foot ladder placed on the sidewalk
on Jefferson street and thrown against the
glare of the light from the gas
lamp at the corner. The wooden shut
ters of the window were forced, the
window sash raised, and the parties then
entered drawing the ladder up after them,
aud placed it on lot of coats piled on
a counter, and there the ladder was found
yesterday morning. 1t is evident from this
tnat two or three, possibly more, must have
been concerned in the robbery. Once In
room, the thieves attempted to light the
gas, but found it had been turned off at the
metre. They then ignited lot OF paper on
the floor, and from the blaze were enabled
to prosecute their Investigations on the up
per floor. The blazing paper was carried
in different portions Of the apart
ment, as the charred pieces found
under the counters indicated. 1t Is
not known how many articles were taken
from this apartment, as the stock is so
large that dozen suits might be taken and
not readily missed. The adjoining apart
ment on the same floor is stocked with
boots and shoes, but nothing was discovered
to Indicate that the thieves visited that
side. After getting through with their in
Vestigatlons on the second Hoor, the burg
lars burned some paper on the hatchway,
for the purpose, it is presumed, of making
observations into the lower region or first
floor. There is q rope and tackle at this
hatchway, by which boxes are hauled up to
the second floor, aud the thieves
used it to lower themselves below
On getting upon the first floor they broke
open the money drawer, but only secured
ABOUT two dollars in change. An attempt
was also made to open the safe, new one
recently received, as there were marks about
the lock as though made with some blunt
instrument. There were two lay figures
near the door, clothed in new spring suits,
and these were stripped. The thieves then
made their exit by the front door opening
on Congress street, which was found I'M
barred in the morning when the clerks ar
rived.
There is a private Waterman on the block,
and Mr.. Levy's store is included in his beat,
but he knew nothing of the robbery until
after the store was open yesterday morning,
and was rather surprised. 1t is supposed
that the burglars had confederate on the
outside, who kept posted as to the move
menls of the watchman.
The ladder which was used by the bur
glars, was stolen from in front of Mr.. Thos-
Vests store, corner Broughton and Jeffer-
son streets, where Mr. Thomas Madison,
painter, was engaged in painting and put
ting up some signs on Wednesday, aud had
left both his ladders lying against the side
of the building, not imagining that there
was any danger OF two heavy ladders being
stolen. But they were, as the other ladder
was found on BroughtOn street lane, lear
Barnard street, directly In the
rear of the stove and hard
ware store of Mr.. Cormack Hopkins,
which was also visited By burglars, whether
before or after the robbery at Mr.. Levy's
place, only block or two off, or by some
OF the same gang, is not known. 1t would
appear, however, that the parties were act
ing in concert.
Entrance into Mr.. Hopkins establishment
was effected through window on the second
floor opening on the lane, to which access
was obtained by means OF the ladder. The
parties from some cause were unable to or
did not think 1t necessary to draw this lad
der up into the room, as had been done at
Levy's, and 1t was thrown fiat across the
lane, where it was found yesterday morning,
and was also identified by Mr.. Madison as
his property, having, as stated, been taken
from the same place.
The second floor of Mr.. Hopkins store is
used for the manufacture of tinware, re-
pairing, etc, and the thieves finding moth
ing worthy of their attention there, descend
ed to the first floor, where they found the
gas burning, light being kept in the store
all night. the front windows on Brough-
ton street are protected only by a wire
screen, and full view of the interior is had
from the outside, but this did not, it seems.
disturb the equanimity of the enterprising
burglars who, proceeded very methodi-
eally, as it were, in their explorations. The
money drawer was forced open with an old
Ratchet which they had brought with them,
and which was left on the counter and
about twenty FIVE dollars in bills and change
taken therefrom. The show cases were
opened and several dozen pen knlfes,
valued at So and 80 per dozen, were taken.
There may have been other articles stolen,
but the above are all that were missed The
desk at the rear of the store was also opened,
and the contents thoroughly ransacked. The
burglars made their exit by the door On the
lane, which they left open.
There is also a private Waterman on this
block, and. as in the other case, it would
seem that one Of the gang must have watch
ed his movements and taken advantage of
his being at the extremity OF tho block to
get in.
The most singular thing in connection
with these robberies is how these parties
could have carried the ladders from the cor
ner Of Broughten and Jefferson streets to
the places robbed, and use them In this way
without being discovered.
Il will be seen by advertisement else
where that reward of 800 is offered by
Mr.. Levy and Mg. Hopkins for the appre-
hension, with proof to convict, of the par
ties concerned in these robberies, and our
enterprising detectives should stir them
selves.