St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-09-22
MYSTERIOUS MOVEMENTS
BY Members of the Detective Force
of Minneapolis,
Which Mean That Several Burglars
Are in the Tolls.

Inc numerous burglaries which have
taken place in Minneapolis for some weeks
past nave been source Of much worry to
tne detective force, but at last the
whole mystery seems on the point of be-
ing ahraveled. Yesterday morning Detective
Hanklnson returned from st. Paul. where
ne mad been in close communication with
81. Paul detectives. After he returned
detectives Doyle, Lawrence and Harvey
gathered In private room at headquarters,
ana fer long time were there with the
door locked. When evening came
they Went out in body
ana soon returned with three
men. all OF whom were locked I'D. The
wheie thing was very mysterious, and
none OF the officers could be induced to say
anythihg. IL was learned at late hour
tnat one OF the men under arrest was D.
Hoffman, patternmaker at 9O6 Washin gton
avenue north. The other two men were
John Wilson and f. Williams. The de.
tectives brought in large number of bur-
glar tools, among them some of the finest
ever seen in this part Of the country. One
version OF the capture is that
While HankinsOn was walking up Wash
ngton avenue yesterday he heard two men
talking In suspicious manner. Said one.
come ON up the street. | want to see if
he has got that tool ready for us to use to-
night" The detective followed the men
and they went to
THE SHOP OF HOFFMAN.
where they were given four or five tools
which to the detective looked very suspi-
clouS. He obtained aid and followed the
men and Swallowed them until thew
had planted the tools. Detectives
were posted there and in the even
Ing the men were arrested as soon as
they had raised the tools and were starting
off. The party then proceeded to Hoff-
mans place, where Hoffman was placed
under arrest In his shop were found sew
eral Kits OF burglars tools, including safe
punches. key turner's, etc., and
complete outfit for making them. In ad-
ditlon to these things were found large
satchei full OF knives and a number of re-
volyers. identified as those stolen from
Inc hardware store Of L. NJ
Roberts, $40 Nicolet avenue, some
time ago. The swag was taken
to police headquarters. where it
VIII De Kept until matters are Strengthened
out. During the evening a wel-dressed
woman and young man were brought in
by one OF the detectives. The conference
held behind closed doors and
as soon as he left the station the
detectives entered hack and were driven
away III the darkness. ostensibly into the
country to make another arrest. The case
is very mysterious one, and no one can
be found who will say anything in regard
to the affair. From all that can be learned.
however, it would seem that we'll
organized gang of safe blowers
and burglars has been unearthed. with
headquarters in Minneapolis or St. Paul.
just VINO the woman is, is not known. but
1t IS certain that more arrests will follow.
1t is claimed by the police that Hoffman,
the man in whose place the burglars
tools were found, is one of the
finest workmen in his line in the
country aud deYotes his timeaespecally to
making burglar tools. From the officer it
was learned that he has served time in va
rious state prisons and in Chicago was
convicted of making and dispesing of burg
lars tools. He could not explain how the
property stolen from Roberts store car1e to
be in his place. Sensational DEVELOPMENTS
may be looked for shortly, as it is known
that runaway wife from Wyoming. Kan,
a black-mailer and several private citizens
figure conspicuously in the case.