Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-25

A sensation in local police circles was
sprung last night by a cleverly> worked
plan of Inspector McKelvey, of the South
side and his assistants.
For some time past rumors have been rife
that somebody on that side of the river was
robbing prisoners. This conclusion was ar
rived at by complaints from time to time by
prisoners taken in the district that they
were short some money when they appeared
Tor the morning heariAg. Inspector Nickel
vey conceived plan to catch the thief, and
lis efforts eliminated in the arrest last
night of William Williams, of patrol
wagon No. z.
Williams has been on the wagon for the
past nine months. During that time the
complaints have been made. There are two
men on each wagon, besides the driver, who
are supposed to look after the prisoners and
escort them to the lookup. Inspector Nc
kel vey noticed that the complaints of rob-
berries invariably came from those arrested
Ior drunkenness and always on the run on
which Williams and his companion made.
He caused Williams to be laid off for five
days on fimsy charge and put another
man on the wagon.
HOW HE WAS CAUGHT.
About two weeks later he had Williams
partner take a vacation for a week. Sew.
eral arrests happened about this time, and,
Williams being ON duty, the old cry of rob-
berry was made by the prisoners.
To make doubly sure the Inspector then
played his last move in his game. He
secured man numei Nick Bendle to act
the part of a drunk" Bendle was placed
near South Thirty-f fourth street in the vicin-
0f fha IoF
Police Stewart was to find him and call the
wagon. That part of the Inspectors plan
was carried out successfully, and the patrol
wagon with Williams in it came rolling
along in answer to Captain Stewards call.
Bendle was placed in the wagon and lay
down on the floor, but the team had hardly
been turned for the lookup when, Bendle
claims. Williams began to search him.
This is customary, however, as the police
are supposed to look for firearms and knives
on the prisoners. Williams went through
Bendle's vest pocket, where he found Sc in
bills and 81 in silver. The paper had been
marked by having a corner torn off each of
the bills, and the silver coin had been
scratched. Williams took it all, but in
stead of putting it in his pocket he lifted
up the wagon seat, which is on hinges, and
threw it underneath.
Arriving at the station the prisoner
signed to the Inspector that the scheme had
worked, but, to gain time and more infor-
nation, Bendle was placed in cell. There
be told his experiences.
BEHIND THE BARS.
Further testimony was not needed, and
Inspector McKelvey walked out to the
front Office and placed Williams under ar
rest. The money was found under the
wagon-seat A charge of larceny from the
person was made against Williams by the
Inspector, before Judge Brokaw, who was
also present, and Williams was placed be-
hind the bars in the Twenty-eighth ward
station in default of 81 900 bail.
Williams went on the force as turnkey at
the Central station under Mayor Fulton,
and patrolled a beat under Mayor McCallin.
When Chief Brown took charge of the
police he was placed on patrol wagon No. 1,
and was subsequently transferred to the
Southside, where he has been for the past
nine months. His home is at No. 1902
Wharton street. He is married and has
four children.