New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-01-17
ROBBING 4 PA WNSHOP.
A FORMER CLERK TURNS THIEF AND GETS
CAPTURED

4 FORMER CLERK TURNS IIIl-F NM VEL .
CAPTURED.
\ wellplanned robbery was committed in william
Simpsons pawnshop at 40 81 Park Row Yesterday
morning by thieves who had been followed to the
place by Central once detectives. After the robbers
were arrested and taken to Police Headquarters with
the booty one Of them made interesting confession
to Inspector Bymes. The thief formerly had been
employed in the pawnshOp. and had stolen many
articles before he gave up his position there 1t
on account Of hi, steslings months ago that he
was being Swallowed by detectives when lie went to
tic pawnshOp with a professional burglar yesterday
morning
Patrick Forrcstell had been clerk in simpsons
pawnshop nearly two years when lie resigned his
place late in october. His employer had not sus-
pected him Of dishonesty, and it was not until about
a month ago that things which he had stolen from
the pswnshOp were missed Then valuable diamonds
which had been pawned were asked for by the owners
and could not be found. simpson in despair. not
knowing how many things were missing lie ap-
pcalcd to Inspector ByrneS, who concluded to set a
watch upon Forrestel The detectives found Forrcs-
tell living with Grace CObe, dssipated young woman
No. 142 West Thirty-thirdst. He only twenty
two years old, but the detectives learned that
, he was familiar with every sort of dissipation.
They followed him about the city and him ar
sOcate with eXcOnvicS. one night last week Fories-
tell went to Park Row with steve Martin thief
who had lodged IN East Twenty third ST. and another
man, whom the detectives recognized professional
burglar The three rOgucs walked past the pawnshop
several times, and then went TO beer shop.
where they consulted After that night both ForIcstel
and Martin were followed and watched by detectives
day and night.
Detective -sergcans Crowley and CottTell followed
FOrIestcll to BroOmest. and the Bowery at a. m.
yesterday and saw him meet Martin, who was shadowed
by Detective Formosa Forreste and Martin Wake!
to simpsons pawnshop in Park Row. and Forresell
opened the door with false key. The detectives heard
the burglar alarm ring the two thieves went into
the shop. They did not know until later that For
restell gave signal from inside the shop which pre-
vented the alarm from calling the police from the Oak
St. station Half hour later Forrcstell and Martin
emerged from the shop carrying satchelS full Of jewels
and several fur garments. The detectives promptly ar
rested them and took them and the stolen articles TO
Police Headquarters. In Forrestes pocket was found
the following letter. which he had written to thief in
Chicago, but had forgotten to post:
"New-YOrk Jan Il. 1901.
MY Dear Friend Carr: ! suppose Won Thought YOU
would not hear from ne again but am going % do
my trick TO morrow morning. | intend TO get 900
or 81 COO and will be In Chicago on MONDAY or IuesSdl
and / am going to let him into this snap. II every.
body does their part IN II, ii Will be All right II not
fifteen years. have not seen Bunho Billy since
last wrote 10 you. viii now conclude as VIII see
you soon Remember me to puss From your fTiend'
Il don't stop at 40 wcst Thiry-third st. any more.
will be with you Monday or I1eI %Myy :nFe meg.
To Inspector Byrnes Forrestcll told where he had
pawned diamonds valued at nearly $1,000 which he
had stolen from simpsons shop before he left there in
October. He also said he had given two diamond
rings two diamond pins. pair of diamond earring
and other jewels to Grace Cobe. who had deserted
him and had gone to live with another man at No.
90 East Onehundrcd- and-twenty- sevcnthst.
The articles which he had given to her were valued
at abont $4,000.
The woman was locked up at Police lleadquart"r,
in the afternoon charged with receiving stolen goods
Forc.tel said she knew the diamond, were stolen
Of them found in her possession and Others
which she had pawned will be recovered The de-
tect1ves also found in pawnshopS the stolen diamonds
which Forrestell had pawned. FOrres,ells stcalngs
had amounted to nearly $4,000
The young man said he had been led 70 steal in
order 10 get money for the in her company
he met several thieves lie lad Il false key TO tie
door OF the pawnshop made before he left the place
and he had duplicate OF part Of the key Il
! the vault I'm which the diamonds were kept. The
KEY was I'm two parts. Of which was hid In Tho
shop every night and the other carried by con
Gdential clerk. FOrrcscu said that when he went 10
| the pawnshop with Martin yesterday morning he
| expected to lie able to find the hidden part Of tie
kew nt II 10 his duplicate and open the vault but h'
had not been able 10 ind the hidden portion OF inc
! KEY If the confidential clerk had arrived az ta'
shop early enough interrupt the robbery he was
10 be knocked down aud gagged. several weeks az
two burglars known TO him McManuS, and Nc
were OBLIGED to leave the city. Martins burglar friend
would been IN the job yesterday morning, but M
| rot drunk and did not awake In time. The prisoners
will be arraiened at the Tomba Police Court to-day.