Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1886-05-15
DETECTIVES ROB UNCLES,
How Pawnbrokers are Deliberately
SWlndled by POICemep

How Pawnbrokers are Deliberately
Swlndled by Policemen.
1.-THE worst thieves fence in the city is a
little store on one of the second-claSs ave-
nues-Ostensibly grocery store. Almost
all the fences Oh the South side ale on the
same street, and not one of them hangs out
the three-ball sign of the pawnbroker."
This remark was made by one of the
wealthiest pawnbrokers in the city to the re-
porter of a Chicago paper
both the press and public seem to he of
the opinion that pawnbrok are the only
receivers of stolen property. This is a mis-
take, and the police know it. The police
can ransack pawnbroker's premises on
the slightest pretence; you wont find them
taking the same risks with grocery stores,
saloons or private houses. We are largely
at the mercy of the police; we cannot help
this, and the natural result is We are bled.
do only an honest business, and am as in
dependent of the police force as any pawn
broker can be, and yet if detective wants
gold watch or other valuable piece of jew
elry on credit dare not refuse it,
do you mean that you have given goods
to detectives that you have not been paid
for or do not expect to be?''
Exactly 500
The reporter mentioned the names of a
few of the most active detectives on the city
force, asking if any of these had taken goods
ION credit" Yes, there was one on the list.
and the pawnbroker gave his name.
He came in about three months ago."
said the pawnbrOker, land asked TO see a
small gold watch and chain which hung in
the window. He wanted it for lady friend,
he said, and would take it to see how she
liked 1t. de has not mentioned the matter
SINCE, and, OF course, III never get cent
for It
THE taxation in my case doesn't amount
to much. anyhow" he continued Prob
ably 500 year would cover it and that cuts
no figure. do straight business and am
n,' soft mark. If many of them tried 10
bleed me in this way. so that it became a
serious matter would not standit. IwOuld
not expose it. but would lay the matter pri.
vately before the Chief of Police. That
would bring them to time.
1T Is the people who are not quite honest
who like a big bargain when they see
chalce-whO are the chief prey. | don't
know much about this from actual Observa-
tlOI, Dut hCdi SOOu utdl OI gOSSlD. There
was Livingstone, for instance, who was con-
victed last week for receiving stolen pr0p.
erty-if all tales are true he has been black
mailed right and left. Livingstone was on
very friendly terms with the police officers.
and since this case against him began the
officers, 1t is said, have been having a pit
mic.
lone dropped into his place to remark
that the thing would be fixed up ell right.
Il can prove that you run a straight place
and l III see that you yet no trouble. And,
by the way, that's a nice piece of stuff there.
pointing to some new ready-made spring
SUITS; do you think You have suit to fit
me?' And new suit was sent to the Off
GERS lodgings the same evening-on credit,
of course.
Another called to say, Mike, me boy,
you needn't have the least fear about that
little trouble; I'll see you out of it, And
that officer went away the richer by gold
OH credit Another, am told,
got valuable ring, and two or three others
found something in Mixes to suit them, so
that altogether Mixes little trouble cost him
more than his lawyers bills.
II have heard OF many cases of a much
worse character than this, but have no posi-
i've proof on the subject. have no doubt
N my mind, however, but that many of the
so called detectives on the force-OfficerS
who are permitted to wear civilians clothes
make good thing out of crooked pawn |
brokers' and second hand dealers and dives" |