The morning call., 1890-07-25
BOY BURGLARS.
Three Desperate Little Lads ia
Jail for Stealing.
Taey Confess Their Guilt But Will No. Speak
Of the Booty-Churches and Houses
Their Favorite Prey.

For some time past the neighDorhood of
Geary, Powell, Mason and Post streets has
been vlctimized by burglars who almost
daily committed their depredationS without
either being seen or heard at the work.
Numerous complaints were received at po-
lice headquarters from the residents of that
vicinity, and although the patrolmen in
creased their vigilance no trace of the
thieves could be discovered.
But the burglaries there are at an end for
some time 10 come. The burglars them
selves are safely locked up in the City
Prison, ard will undoubtedly be kept out
OF the way for years.
The reports crowding in upon Chief
Crowley leo him to believe that there was
an organized gang OF church burglars work
ing in this city. for several churches have
been entered by thieves during the past
few weeks. He was greatly exercised over
statement that the synagogue on Mason
street, between Geary and Post, had been
despoied by the sacrilegious robbers.
Many residences shared 4 similar fate at
their hands.
WHAT THE DETECTIVES SAY.
Detective Rogers was detailed TO investi-
gate the burglary Of the synagogue. He
found that the glass Of one of the rear WIN
dows had been broken, the catch pushed
back and the sash opened. All the Sunday
school books, heavy silver vessel, silver
goblet and crown ana two silver bands were
Stolen. The total value of this property is
$3.50. The detective worked hard on the
case for some days, and yesterday morning
arrested Edward Armstrong, a youth of 10
years, living at his parents home, 404 Mason
street; Herbert elise, II years OF age living
at S2012 Larkin street, and Victor Verdelett,
II years OF age, living at $50 Geary street.
They were charged at the City Prison with
petty larceny and booked for the Industrial
School.
On investigation Rogers found the Sun
day-school books buried IN the sand In th Q
rear OF the synagogue. Behind the First
Congregational Church he also found a
sledA9shammer hidden beneath the surface.
The fads admitted that they were the burg
lars, and told Rogers that they had buried
the books in the sand, but they would not re-
veal the whereabouts of the other plumber.
THEY ARE EXPERTS.
The boys exhibited singular depravlty for
their years and position in life. Their
reputation as thieves has been fully estab-
lished by the neighbors and their teachers.
Detective Rogers gave it as his opinion that
they were possessed Of all the ingenuity OF
professional burglars and crooks, and that
they were very industrious in their oper-
ationS.
Quite recently Mrs. Kelly, who lives in
the vicinity, was robbed Of two silver cake
baskets. The boys confessed having stolen
the property, but were silent when asked
what they had done with the booty.
Armstrong about two weeks ago stole the
only pair of pantaloons that his mothers
boarder possessed and sold them for 80
cents. The man had 10 remain in bed all
day until the garment was recovered.
When questioned about the Sledge-ham
mer the young burglars freely admitted
that they had been making preparations for
raid on the First Congregational Church,
corner of Mason and Post streets, and
would have occasion to use the hammer III
etfectlng an entrance.
ARRESTED IN SCHOOL.
The lads have been attending the public
schools. Nerdelett was caught in school,
where the teacher said he was ''incOrri-
gible, the biggest thief and worst behaved
boy In the school," elise was taken from
his class. He was given reputation by
his teacher equally bad as Verdelett's.
Armstrong was also found in school. His
teacher, who has had experience with the
other two, exclaimed to the detective, He
is just as bad as his companions"
Abram Altmayer, Superintendent Of the
Beth Israel Sunday-school Swore tD three
complaints charging them with petty lar
cenY. They Will be sent to the Industrial
School, where tb eyamust Temai until de-
sires for burglary and stealing shall he for
gotten.
They cried in unison behind the prison
bars. but tried to be brave and spoke of
their crimes with some show of bravado