Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-09-01
BOY BURGLARS.
THEY SYSTEMATICALLY PILLAGl A BUSINESS
HOUSE FOR OVER A YHLR.
A Number Of Arrests Made by the Police Who d.
Some Very Clever WOrk-How DsVins's
Shoe Store Has Been Raidsd.

Der that some four or five days ago an
item appeared the police column, stat
ing that the shoe store Of j. G. Devine,
on Main street, had been entered by
thieves, through window, and seven
pairs of shoes carried off, the empty
pasteboard boxes, left lying on the
floor, giving the only clue to the fact Of
the robbery.
OThe meager facts were at once laid
before Chief Delbrugge, aud the latter
at once instructed his officers to make
every effort to catch the thieves, who
were suspected to be boys. In day or
two boy named Sylvis was found with
a pair of the stolen shoes on his feet.
He said he did not steal them, but had
purchased them from another boy,
named Richards. The police were In
formed this boy, with others concerned
in the robbery, was in the vicinity OF
Wellsburg, and trip was made to that
town, but no trace Of the thieves could
be found and the police came back to
this city and began the work anew.
Sunday, Chief Delbrugge got several
clues as to the robbery, and yesterday
Officer Lukens located James Richards,
the boy whom Sylves said he obtained
the shoes from, at his home on
Main street. Richards attempted to
escape through skylight and over the
roof, as he saw the officer coming, but
was captured and taken to the City
Hall. In answer to questions by the
Chief, Richards, who is about fifteen
years of age and the son of very repu-
table family, stated that he had en-
tered the store and had taken seven pairs
of shoes therefrom. He said be
was accompanied by colored boy
named William Graham, and that they
had secreted the stolen goods under the
"Pewiky" railroad platform. Richards
stated that he had disposed OF all the
shoes but one pair, selling one pair to
Mike Perunta, an Italian, for dollar,
one pair to Harry Wier for a second
hand pair of light trousers, one pair to
Bert Sylvis for a dollar, one pair to
strange negro, gratis, and one pair to
William Graham for dollar. He re-
tanned one pair himself, and had the
seventh pair hidden under the depot.
In response to questions by the Chief,
Richards narrated rather astonishing
story of youthful robbery, stating that
he knew of at least one hundred or
more young men and boys who had
stolen shoes, boots, ETC., from the De-
vine store for over year past. In fact,
he said, about all the boot-blacks and
other tough youngsters, white and col
ored, about town had been going there,
obtaining entrance through rear win
dow and helping themselves freely to
whatever footgear they might happen
to need, besides selling to their friends.
In the winter time gum boots, leather
boots and heavy shoes would be taken,
while in summer their discriminating
taste ran to lighter grades Of goods. He
gave names and circumstances which
proved his story, If slightly exaggerated,
TO be I'm the main true.
Armed with the additional informa-
tion.gathered from Richards, the Chief
started his officers out, and also took
chase after the boys himself. About
quarter of twelve the Chief found and
arrested Mike Peunta at the corner OF
Twelfth and Water streets. Mike,
who is twenty-three years OF age, ad-
mitted that he had purchased pair OF
shoes from Richards, and said he had
gone with him to the "Pewiky" depot
and saw Richards produce the shoes
from the hiding place beneath the plat
form. He paid dollar for them.
One of the boys named by Richards
as having visited the store was Charles
Sweeney, who has general reputation
as thief. Officer Herbert arrested
Sweeney about half-past one In the az
ternoon, and took him to the City Hall,
where he admitted having entered the
store sometime in December last, in
company with Richards. He said that
at that time Richards stole several pairs
OF gum boots, and that he himself took
one pair, handing them TO a boy named
Mccoy, who was waiting outside the
store as a watch. Sweeney also said that
at another time, in January last, a boy
named Hunt told him to go to Devine's
store and get pair OF shoes. He met
Hunt two days later with pair OF new
shoes on, which he said he had obtained
at Devine's.
Richards also stated that bov named
Robert McElroy had been In the store
at different times after shoes.
About three o'clock officer Lukens
arrested Harry Weir, the boy who Rich
ards said he traded the pair Of shoes to
for a pair of trousers. Weir said the
shoes we're too small for him, and he
had presented them to Richard Beuter.
He had gone with Richards to the
'Pewiky" depot, where Richards OBJ
tanned the shoes, but he did not actually
see him take them from the hiding
place. Richards claimed he was going
away and wanted the trousers. Weir
stated that he was born and raised here,
but for four years had been at Adrian,
Mich, being now home on a visit. He
admitted that he knew Else Gray, and
associated with him.
Last evening by an agreement be-
tween Prosecuting Attorney, Mr.. De-
vine and the parents Of Richards, who
are very estimable people, Richards was
committed to jail by Justice Arkle on
warrant alleging incorrigibility, and he
will be held as q witness against the
other boys, in the subsequent proceed
ings. Harry Weir and Charles Sweeney
were also committed 10 jail.
1t is likely that other arrests will be
made to-day.