Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-10-13


OF vALUsBLEs sroLES-rHE THIEVES TAKE
THEIR TIME AT THEIR Work AND GET SAFELY
AWAY.
Burglars who we'll understood their business
made a successful haul of watches diamonds
and all sorts Of jevelry at Frank Hoffa's jewelry
store, on 7th street northwest Just north of d
street. Saturday night The store is situated
on the east side Of It'll street and faces west
Electric and gas lights make the street almost
as bright as day, even after midnight, bu. the
bright lights assisted the burglars in their
work. The burglary was evidently committed
between midnight and daybreak, but whether
there were two or more burglars no one except
the burglars themselves know. Tho first
known of the burglary was abont noon vester-
day, when Mr. Hofa went to tile store. lie
noticed Ill the front portion of the store an alb
sence of many articles that were lett there
Saturday night but look into the rear room
revealed the extent of the burglary The safe
had been cracked by the thieves and
emptied of its valuable contents Upon max
ing this discovery Mr.. HOffa fastened to police
headquarters and informed Inspector swim
deiis. 1heInspector and several OF his officers
went to the store to examine tho place and
procure what evidence thoy could which might
lead to
THE OBJECTION OF THE CRIMINALS
Tho premises were arranged exactly to suit
the burglars. although Mr.. Hoffa never before
thought what a nice shield there for the light
fingered gentry. The safe was in the rear of
the store, the front facing the storeroom, while
partition built across the room hid all except
the front OF the safe from view. The officers
are thoroughly satisfied that the entrance was
hade by the burglars entering the adjoining
premises and climbing to the roof Of IOffa's
mouse and then dropping down through the shy
IN mt
Once IN this room it WAS impossible to be seen
from the street, but in order that they might
watch Tor the approach of any one. an officer or
the proprietor of the store, they bored "a hole
through the wooden partition. Through this
opening the burglar could seethrough the store
into the street and could operate accordingly
At the approach of any one who NIGH. stop in
front OF the store they could cease operations
Tor ;he time being, so that any noise made by
them would not likely
ATTRACT ATTENTION OUTSIDE.
With the augur hole through tho patition
the burglars we're ready for work and they
had a comparatively easy time before them.
The safe was not intended to keep out burglars
and all that was claimed for it by its manu-
facturers was that it fire proof The first
work was to bore holes in the outside metallic
covering. which was easily removed. -Four
inches of mortar then had to be chiseied out,
and behind this was a piece OF board. The in
side lining was OF heavier metal than the out
side, but thee sides OF IL panel were bored and
:hen the piece WAS bent INTO the safe. which
made clear opening for one of tho burglars
to enter. The burglars were well equipped
for their work. for in the addition to the
auSurs, wedges and hammers they had II dark
lantern and oil sacks. These sacks were such
az are used by burglars to carry off their plum
der III. These sacks hold nearly half bushel
On the floor WAS found q number of pieces of
gold that had been stripped of their diamond
settings. The burglars secured jewelrY valued
at fifteen thousand dollars. according 10
Mr.. Uolfa's statement which no doubt
they carried away in their oil sacks. Their
tools were left behind them. They consisted
of an augur. wedge, lantern and also va!ise
and one of the oil bags. Before the burglary
was discovered the perpetrators of it had
ample time to get TO New York or some other
city long distance from here. 1t is not
thought that the burglars will attempt TO dis
pose of the plumber in this city, but that the
goods will probably turn up in some .fcnce" in
another city.
Detectives Horne and Mahon are investigat-
Ing the case, but as yet they have made no ar
rests.