Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-05-05
RUN DOWN AT LAST.
Four Little Southsi1e Girls Picking
Pockets in pittsburg.
HAVE BEEN ATT FOR TWO YEARS,
Detective Bendsl Nips the Ringlsader IN
the Act Of Stealing.
How A STRANGE CASE WAS FOLLOWED

The police of the First district have sue
ceeded in running down gang OF youthful
pick kpoekets--little girls-who have been
following their trade to good advantage all
over the city. For three months past Detec-
tives Bendel aud McTighe have been watch
ing tor parties who were doing good busi-
ness at picking the pockets of ladies along
Fifth avenue aud downtown stores. Sus-
pieion fell on two Young girls who were
seen at frequent Intervals acting strangely
on the street. Detective Bendel was watch
ing the girls yesterday afternoon, when, IN
front of Harris Theater, he noticed one Of
them thrust her hand into . lady's pocket.
That was all he wanted, and he had her by
the arm in an instant
The girl ,squirmed and struggled, but
finding it was OF no avail began to cry. As
she was lead around to Central station her
younger companion followed. At the sta
ton both became frightened and made q
confession.
A Little Girl With Record.
The elder one gave her name as Katie
Steplein, She is the younger sister of Dora
Steplein, whose escapades created much
comment over year ago. She lives with her
mother on Birmingham avenue, southside
Rosa 1s soim, Of we Welsh Row. Row She 's'e Is only il
years of age. but has evidently had a promi-
nent part in the proceedings. The girls made
clean breast of the whole matter.
For two years past they, in company with
Mary Short, of South Fifteenth street, aged l3.
and Annie Mcguire, of Fritz street. have been
picking pockets and doing petty pilfering in
crowded stores. During thar time they have
OF
kinds and have grown very proficient in the
business. Their operations have been confined
chiefly to this side of the river. though they
confess to having secured Q pocketbook In q
Southside store containing about Sl5 and an
other from a woman on Carson street with $50
In IL. This latter was divided between the
money to their people at home telling them
they found it. After learning the names of the
two other girls the two detectives went over
last night and arrested them. AL four are now
In Central station.
Watched Until They Were Caught.
About six weeks ago Inspector MeAleese
began to receive complaints Of pocket picking
at the theaters and large stores and shop lift
ing all over the lower part OF the city, De-
tectives McTighe and Bepde were set to work.
and after couple of weeks diigent watching
decided that Katie Steplein and Annie Nc
Guire were the guilty persons, On account Of
their age the girls were not arrested immedi-
ately, but were shadowed whenever they
came to this side of the river. They
were very cunning in their business and
soon became aware they were being watched.
Thereafter the girls were wary. Rosa Solm
and Mary Short were then brought out by the
other two, presumably to throw of sus-
picion. The detectives noticed that
they would frequently change hats
or costumes. About month ago
a pocketbook containing S45 was taken from q
lady on Fifth avenue. One afternoon about
week ago Detective Mefighe observed Katie
Steplein and Rosa Solm following . lady ON
Market street. whose pocketbook was sticking
out of. her pocket The lady was walking
rapidly, and IN order to oyertake her the Two
girls had to run, As they got close to her the
Steplein girl suddenly darted forward and
made two or three Intellectual attempts to
snatch the purse. By this time the lady reached
the corner of Fourth avenue and took Sec
oHd avenue car. The young pickpoeket fol-
lowed her into the car and McTighe did like
wise, but the expected victim had seated her.
self, and after taking her purse out to pay her
fare carried 1t in her hand. The girl seeing she
was foiled got of the car soon after and went
to Allegheny.
One scheme of the girls was to hang around
in stores, watch ladies to see where they put
their pocketbooks after making a purchase,
and thensecure the book. Some valuable fans
taken from stores during crowded days have
been traced to them.
The girls after their arrest confessed every
thing, and told of number of thefts they had
committed OF which the police had never heard.
Inspector McAleese say S the girls should all be
sent TO the Reform School, and he will en-,
deavor to send them there.