Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1883-03-03
A COOL SNEAK.THIEF.
He Walks into Philadelphia Bank an
Goes OFF with SO, 900 In Bonds.

He Walks into Philadelphia Bank and
Goes OFF with $4,000 in Bonds.
A cool sneak-thief walked into the
banking department of the Guarantee
Trust and Safe Deposit company, Chest
nut street above Third street, Philadelphia,
about II o'clock yesterday morning, and
stole $40. 900 worth Of Peoples passenger
railway per cent. coupon bonds. Their
market value is about s35, 900. The bonds
were of $1,000 denomination, and
numbered from 106 to IT'S inclu
sive. AS an instance of GOODNESS
and the taking of desperate chances
this robbery is without parallel in sneak
thieving operations in tho city in recent
years. The banking aud deposit depart
ments of the institute are separated by a
lofty archway. The president and vice
president can command view of the
entire establishment through glass doors
on either side of these offices. The desks
are protected by glass partitions about
three feet higher than the desks, and the
tellers and clerks have an unObstructed
view of their departments. The floors
are constantly patrolled by private detec-
tives, and watchmsn are seated at every
entrance leading behind the desks.
Yesterday Treasurer Brown brought
from the vaults in his Office tin deposit
box and proceeded to clip off 81, 760 worth
of coupons, when he was interrupted by
the entrance of Thomas Cochran, the
president and another gentleman, who en-
gagged him in brief conversation, after
which Mr.. Cochran retired to his room.
Desiring to say something further on the
same subject, Mr.. Brown followed Mr..
Cochran into the latter's Office. He was
gone less than a minute but when he re
turned the bonds were gone. Mr.. Stadiger
a director, of the institution, who was
seated in Mr.. Cochran's Office while Mr..
Brown and the president were talking there
saw through the glass door leading to Mr..
Browns Office man leaving it bearing in
his hands bundle of papers. This was
undoubtedly the thief with the bonds, but
Mr.. Stadiger was not familiar enough with
the many attaches of the place to distin
guish stranger and thought nothing
about it. At the same time stranger Of
medium height with light hair and mus.
tache, and wearing round, stiff hat and
dark overcoat, aud with a very pleasing
address assiduously interrogated teller
seated within three feet of the bonds. He
wanted information about the methods of
business in the institution and left, leav-
ing very favorable impression on the
teller.
AS soon as the theft was discovered the
fact was telegraphed to all the leading
cities. The thieves will fail to realize
much from the bold robbery, for, while
the bonds are negotiable, they are not
generally dealt in, and are not considered
first class investment securities. The
Guarantee Trust company was carrying
them as collateral for loans. Tne robbery
is believed to be tho work of two men
who visited the place Thursday afternoon
and aroused suspicion by their actions,
but left suddenly. The officers of the
company have little hopes Of catching the
thieves unless they should offer the securi-
ties for sale, as there appears to be no one
who could identify them.