Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-11-14


With Robbing Hona's Jswelry Store.
Nh HoFFA IDENTIFIES AND RRcovERs sowI on
THE STOLEN PRoPERrY-Roly srMNs, rHl
THIEF, ARRRsfxD-ns n AN OLD OFFENDER Axp
Has HAD QUITE CARRIER OF cRINE.
II has been little more thah a month seo
that the safe burglary was committed at Frank
Hoffa's jeweiry store, No. 407 7th street north.
west, and one of the alleged burglars is now in
custody in Philadelphia and will probably be
brought to this city in . day or two for trial.
Ever since the robbery was committed the de-
tectives at police headquarters have been
working day and night in their efforts to cap
ture one or moro Of the burglars and il ID
thought that they have now boon rewarded for
| their labors.
sKrLLFUL cRAcxsMAN.
The man under arrest 10 Joseph, alias Rory
Simms," alias "Joe Hanson" alias Wilson, ~
skillful cracksman. He was arrested in Phil
adeiphia yesterday. The robbery occurred one
the 18th Of last month, and was the heaviest
robbery that has been committed here since
the Tyler diamond robbery two or three years
ego. Mr.; Hoffa placed his jevelry in an old
Saturday night. A light was left burning 10
the store 20 . burglar scare, but il only aided
the thieves in their work. A light partition
across the store on line with the front of the
bored through this partition in order that the
midnight workers might see any one who might
enter through the front door. The outer COW
ering Of plaster was picked from the safe
and then the burglars found no trouble in
ripping the old iron from the side and making q
hole large enough for one of the burglars to
enter the fire but not burglary proof structure.
So much time did the burglars have that they re.
NAMED upon the premises to assert the plumber,
taking only the most marketable goods. In
all they secured more than $4,000 worth of
property. 1t was about noon Sunday that the
proprietor Of the store made the discovery.
The robbery would not have been discovered
until Monday had not a workman gone to the
store on Sunday 10 repair broken show case.
WORK OF THE POLICE.
Inspector Swindells Of the detective corps
instructed all the men under him to do what
they could on the case, and each Of the desec-
tives made personal investigation of the
premises. Circulars describing the stolen
property were sent to almost every police de-
The matter was also placed in the hands Of
the Pinkerton agency and Superintendent Lin
den Of the Philadelphia branch set out to find
the stolen property.
The prisoner now In custody was known to
the officers ~ man who was likely to have
-
once suspected Of the crime. $3.50
HOW sIMMs WAS CAUGHT
Capt Linden of the detective agency asked
Director Stokley and Chief Wood of the Phila-
delphis police department to detail Detectives
Miller and Tate to assist him. These officers
were well acquainted with Simms as, they had
arrested him on former occasions.
watch was set upon the suspects move
ments and yesterday he was followed to the
his house and arrested. Upon searching
the house q large number OF watches and
diamonds were found.
The detectives mentioned arrested him at his
house, No. laos South 7th street, Philadelphia.
MR.. HOFFA GONE TO PHILADELPHIA.
A telegram was st once sent here to Mr..
Hoffa and he went to Philadelphia last even
ing, where he identified the property recovered
as portion of what had been stolen from his
store.
The prisoner is a machinist by trade and was
at one time employed in safe factory in
Philadelphia.
sIMMs' CAREER OF CRIME.
Simms served term of fifteen. years HI YER
mont for robbing bank He was also in the
Eastern penitentiary for q while for breaking
open a safe on CallowhiIl street. this city, and
has served time in New York state. A few
months age he was arrested in Philadelphia by
Miller and Tate for completely in the Atlantic
City robberies, but was released, az tho New
Jersey authorities failed to push the case.
He is known as one Of the most skillful safe
breakers in the land and has been engaged in
many robberies committed in various sections
OF the country. He was the leader Of q gang
composed Of such celebrities as prof Tom"
and Western Charlie" now In prison in
wiikesbarre Joe Pryor, now serving q term in
the Eastern penitentiary and q number OF
others who have been implicated in many bold
robberies.
The officers have reason to believe that they
know who bis companions in the Hoffa rob-
berry were and expect to capture them. The
prisoner will, in all probability, have u hearing
before q United States commissioner today
and will be broughohere for trial.