New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-09
STEALING PRECIOUS STONES
INGENIOUS DEVICES OF THIEVES.


men and women Of weak principles to violate the eighth
commandment do articles of jewelry such gold and
silver ware and precious stones They occupy little space
are exceedingly valuable and readily disposed Of
fortune In precious stones could be slowed away in the
vest pocket the folds Of handkerchief Consequently
thieves and burglars in the of long years OF
cessfu and unsuccessful attempts gain possession OF
these coveted goods have developed high degree OF skin
and cunning. Repeated attacks nave stimulated the
jewellers to equal display Of ingenuity IN devsiDg
measures for their protection. The rivalry has been
thing like that between heavy and plate. Tho
thieves have been constantly trying to get in and tho
jewellers TO keep them out At present the jewellers have
rather the best OF It, They have organized protective
association and employ corps OF competent detectives.
Some years ago the jewellers throughout the country lost
on an average 100000 year by the depredatons Of
thieves and burglars. Now the average annual loss
through similar does not reach anything like that
AS the holiday draws near the wholesale dealers
make large additions their stock in anticipation OF in
creased demands, and then the iewelry thief becomes
unusually aer: and active TRIBUNE reporter recently
had a conversation with Mr.. d. II. Hopknson. the
Editor Of The Jeceiers Circular and HoroIogieai ReceC,
about the tricks of the peculiar class ~ thieves who play
on jewellers, and the used to defeat them.
AT This season." said Mr. HopkinsOn, the thieves
keep sharp lookout for chance 10 make rich haul.
One can hardly walk through John-st. Maiden Lane
without coming noted thief who Is there for
good purpose The headquarters Of the Jewelry trade
Maiden lane and John-st well guarded. At night
four watchmen patrol each block. They furnished
with passkcys and in the OF the night enter
every store in their charge. One man enters
the store with a lantern, another follows with
a drawn pistol, and the remaining two guard the
entrance The stores also protected in a ma
jorty of cases by the most improved systems
Of electric alarms. In the daytime all the clerks in the
ewey stores keep sharp lookout for suspicious charac-
ters Every stranger who enters store, though seldom
aware OF it, is kept under the strices surveillance until
he departs Despite all these precautions and again
jewellers get swndled 1t usually done by sharp young
with some knowledge Of the trade, who represent
themselves buyers the of Outoown dealers,
who have come into the city to make their fall purchases
ASTONISHING A swINDLER.
Frequently the candidate for the penentiary orders
bill OF goods and requests that the bill may be sent TO
his hotel accompanied by the goods with the exception
OF few rings which he wants Immediately 70
show 10 friend purchaser II he is allowed 10 pocket
any portion Of the goods that is the last Of him.
less the detectives hunt him down. This Is very Old
trick and rather played but sometimes the swdler
such apparently genuine credentials that he sue
ceeds in taking in the most cautious firms. The
sharper sometimes carries too far. young
fellow entered store In Maiden lane some time since. To
the clerk who waited him he said 4 the son Of
Mr. -, of Albany. Here is telegram he has Just sent
me to get three diamond rings OF you. The grade and
style designated in the bogus telegram. The clerk
happened to know the gentleman named who was also
young Yes, he said, we will very willingly let
you have the rings, II you will kindly explain 10 me
how you happen to be older than your
own father The astOnished swndler did not proong
the conversation but unceremOniOusy from the
door A description Of him furnished to other
dealers.
a game practised very largely last winter was what
is known the umbrella dodge The manipulation II
the little game usually operates wet days. when he can
find for carrying umbrella When he seats
himself at the counter he places the umbrella which Is
slightly distended, between his legs Then, when the
tray containing the diamonds Is placed before him, he
all of devices to distract the attention Of the
clerk who is waiting him from the and II sue
cessfu, deity sweeps many OF the diamonds as he
thinks will not be Immediately missed into the umbrella
Then he makes excuse for not purchasing
and goes or promising TO call again, which is the last
cOmpulsion OF police officer II makes good haul he
sometimes purchases $50 ring pin TO dsarm suspicion.
umbrella c Is watched so closely that his chances %
working the umbrella dodge are very slender.
Another clever Rascal operated with walking stick,
al the end OF which some wax When the trays con-
tanning the diamonds precious stones were placed be-
fore him. he would use his stick pointer 10 Indicate
article that he desired TO look ar contryng with
the end Of il 10 touch one Of the diamonds The diamond
stick and pass it through his hand behind his back aud
thus unperceived take the diamond from II.
AN INGENIOUS TRICK AT LAST BAFFLEp.
But the cleverest Of this class OF thieves
preyed the trade years ago. He used 10 rep
resent himself diamond merchant and affected % he
very shorsghted. In fact he excessively short
sighted that he would take the tray with the diamonds
the window and bend them until his seemed to
them His did touch them, and at the end Of
il was stuck small piece of flesh cOlOred that
Il would attract attention if noticed would he
yarded a wart or pimple-a deformy to which all
flesh heir When he had succeeded in attaching dil-
nond TO his ofacory organ he would return the tray
he clerk careessy avertng his head at the
same time, under pretence Of blowing his nose,
TO have opportunity to slip the diamond into his
handkerchief He had quite run of success for time
Jut rOughcd the trade little too often aud
spotted. lie went into store on Maiden lane, where a
description Of him had preceded him. He had occasion
70 wipe his nose several times and each time dropped
diamond into his handkerchief when he reached the
lOOr the way out he WAS unable TO open it, The clerk
by some electrical device had slipped The bolt When ne
turned round, instead OF the obsequous clerk whom he
expected to find at his heels anxious to assist him. be
confronted by pistol in the hands Of a man whose
preston clearly indicated that he meant business He
w iS Inc sIo me he thief Slowly and do enetontY
Dbeyed. His pockets were then searched and ne was
given into the custody OF police officer He got three
years when he came out AFTER completing MS sentence;
he to the firm by whom he had been detected and
lime exhibition of check gave him SO but whether he
used 10 help him earn an honest living, as he promised,
cannot tell.
"A game which for a time was very successful was
for dressed porter to present himself al some
wholesale dealers store with order for some valuable
pieces OF jewery from neghbOIng firm The order
would be written the paper Of the firm and the man
would explain that the goods wanted immediately
for customer who was waiting. II the goo1s were
given him nothing would be seen Of thon,
of the pretended porter. Now the jewellers viii not
leyer goods TO any porter who not personally Known
them and II a stranger makes such request the in
variable answer is Wen send them around by one Of
our men,
At ono time great many trunks containing valuable
samples ware snatched from travelling salcsIlen but
the formation OF the jewellers Protective ASsOca-
very little VI that work has been done The
that the trunks wherever possible are carefully watched
BY detectives in the employ OF the association The de-
ectvc service is large and Efficient When robbery is
committed neither pains nor money are spared 10 secure
he cuprit The association bears the expense, and is
generally successful Consequently thieves who have
my regard for their personal safety fight shy OF the jew
Hers"
TIE SYSTEM IN A DOWNTOWN STORE.
Just inside the door the store of Benedict Brothers