New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-12-03
PRICE THREE CENTS.
THE PENITENTIARY THEFT
HOW THE BURGLARS WERE DISCOVERED.
THE NEw-YoRK DETECTIVES on THEIR TRACK BE-
FORE-THE ROBBERY.

THE Nrw-YoRK DETECTIVES on THEIR TRACK BE-
FORE-THE ROBBERY
Three of five men who we're concerned iI the
robbery at the Kings County Pententary on tho
ight of November 25 were occupants of cells at
Police Headquarters yesterday. Inspector ByrneS
told an interesting story Of the circumstances OF
their capture, showing that while the Brooklyn
detectives have been vany searching for clews
since the robbery occurred. the New-York de-
tectves the track of the burglars before
the crime had been committed. About fort
night ago Dctcctive-Sergeant Valley noticed two
men talking eagerly together at Tenth-ave. and
Twenty-sxth-st. One he recognized as John Nc
Keon, alias Williams. an ex-convict who lived IN
West Twenty -sccond-st In the evening Valley
met McKeon, who was drunk and dId not recognize
the detective.
"Who was that pal of yours in Tcnthave this
afternoon y Valley inquired.
"Hes friend Of mine in Brooklyn
McKeon replied "Wo worked together in tho
Kings County Penitentiary. Thcrcll be sky
rockets over there in few days"
WATCHING THE THIEVES.
Valley knew that McKeon had been in the peni.
tentiary or two years for robbery in Brooklyn,
and had been at liberty only short time. lie told
Inspector Byrnes of McKeons remark and was
ordered TO watch the thief and find out his assocl.
ates When the Inspector read accounts OF tho
robnery in the penitentiary he detailed Detective
Sergeants Hickey and Rogers to assist Valley in
the watch for McKcon and his friends Late that
evening Valley reported that the stranger preyi'
oisly noticed in McKeons company had called ~
McKeons home and had gone toward Brooklyn,
McKeon was arrested, taken to the house of In
spcctor Byrncs and accused of participation in the
robbery. lie made prompt denial, but finally
said that he knew who had committed 1t. Under
the delusion that his statements were believed i'm
plicitly he gave to the Inspector the names of
several persons who. he said. were guilty Then he
was permitted to go at large.
The detectives were directed to keep up their
watch and Sergeant Devery of the Sixteenth Pre-
cnct, was assigned to help them, because he has
thorough acquaintance with the young rufiians
living near Elevcnth-avc.. some OF whom were
named by Mckeon. On Sunday night Mckeon and
brooklyn in a lumber yard in Eleventh-ave. under
the eyes of the detective: The stranger was fol
lowed to hs home No. ~ pnIasEls,' HrSok,yn Dy
William PettibOne, a shOe-cutter by trade. VINO
worked for wages in the Penitcntlary shoe-shop.
Late on Monday night Inspector Byrnes was
detectives, and McKeOn leave his house IN COM
pany with Thomas Connor, OF West Iwentyslxth-
ST. Both were arrested and taken to Police Head
quarters Pettbone was arrested at his home in
}ro oklyn early yesterday morning and brought to
| McKeon learned what Pettlbone had said he also
told story abont the robbery. lie TWO accounts
agreed.
DETAILS OF THE BURGLARY.
| McKeon and PettibOne were working at adjon
ing benches IN the prson-shop some months ago.
and they formed secret alliance to rob the safe IN
| the shop as soon As Mckeon was at liberty. Tho
plan was interfered with for q few weeks by
| McKeons subsequent Imprisonment in the Iombs,
| but the confederates met on November IL, at
| ElChth-aye and Fourteenth-st and completed an
| arranrcmcnt Pettbone said he would give in
| formation when money had been placed IN the sale
| in the shop to pay the employees, but that Mche3n
must perform the burglary: On November % he
came to New-York and told Mckeon that the worki OH
men who were not prisoners were to be pald
f Ps.Sone GS sse soaS meet Mckson and his
in Broadway, Brookyn, , at p; p;h H. ,;mc McMeon Men
toned They agreed to meet PettIbone again az
III D. m but il was o'clock on the following
They were delayed by failure TO- get into .
window on the first ioor, the fas ngs of which
| had been tampered with previously by Petubohe
A rubber bali. with string attached, was thrown
| many times against the window with the intention
passing the string about one of the iron bars so al
to pull rope alter the string aud thus make
| against the window, and the string broke On the
day after the robbery. Brooklyn detectives found
the ball. but cond not understand what Its use
was. The burglars turned their attention to
| basement window and sawed ont two iron Dars
| Then they entered the shop. Pryng open n desk
they found $2.90l IN bank notes aud change. a.
safe in the shop. They returned to Newton 10y
Fulton Ferry. and went to the foot OF W.si
iettibSne's visit to McKeon on Thank ing Day
was aid to demand fifth share, but the thief pni
him of until Sunday night, and then paId him only
| $40
| Inspector Byrnes said Yesterday that the capture
of the two remaining burglars would be made soon
They have deposited their shares of booty III saw
time None of McKeons companions in the crime
have been in prison.