Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-09-15
INGENIOUS DEVICES,

to this most common and persistent class
Of criminals.
can varieties of crime have their
| periods of prevalence and their periods
| ofquiet," said Superintendent Byrnes to
journal representive, Except that of
shoplitting, which is always with u.s."
There is hardly any variation IN the
amount of shoplifting done daily in this
city, he says, except that, on the
whole, it increases proportionately
with the growth of the city's population
and trade.
1.-THE reason why this variety of crime
is exec ptionally constant" the Super
intendent continued, lis that most
shoplifters are not professionals.
The organized bands who follow their
shady ways as means of livelihood
are sometimes driven by the police
from their chosen fields and have to
Gle low" he says, but the number of
these is SO small in comparison with the
hordes Of women, otherwise respecta-
BILE, who occasionally filch small arti-
cles, which they need or fancy, that the
general average of thefts remains about
the same.
The detectives employed by all the
leading dry goods stores say that large
portion of the women who steal from
the counters take only articles which
they need for their personal use.
These are generally ribbons, gloves,
ieWelry and the like, which are easily
concealed in one or another of the neat
little contrivances which are constantly
being added to the list OF "h'isting
kicks" as the detectives call the false
pockets which shoplifters affect.
''The ld-fashioned pocket. which was
made of muslin, was so big that when
fastened under the dress it reached be-
low the Knees" said Detective Fred
Cauts, who has had large experience
in one of New 1ork's biggest stores.
dress Just below the waistDand, some
times big enough to thrust baby in.
This opening is covered from view by a
flap of the waist which can be lifted up.
Sometimes these pockets are found to
contain almost enough merchandise,
the detective says, to start small
shop.
"i.arge pockets are seldom used now
adavs,' he continued, because most
stores are so carefully watched that
professional shoplifters are perforce
contented with smaller daily hauls than
formerly. Besides, modern fashions do
not permit of the safe gathering OF much
bulk about the person Of the shop
LITTER"
Among the tricks that have been
adopted since the big pocket became
obsolete, he said, were palming and
sleeve work, Skill is easily acquired in
these, he says, and besides, the trick is
hard to discover.
Planning consists in taking several
small articles up together in the hand,
and then replacing all but one on the
counter. The article retained is held in
the palm of the hand, which is partly
closed to grasp 1t.
Great proficiency is soon acquired by
women with flexible hands, he declared,
and some ofthem can hold gold pin, ring
or other small article safely in this way,
vet give the back of their hand and their
fingers the appearance OF being unbent.
Palming is much practiced at the big
iewelry stores as q means of hiding
stolen articles until a favorable moment
is found for dlsposing of them in con-
yenient places on the person.
The innocent-looking black silk bag or
reticule which is nowadaysin such COM
mon use is extensively called into play
by amateurs, the detective said. 1t re-
auires no skill whatever to manipulate
them for shoplifting purposes, he says.
The shoplifter sits down the JeweIry or
handkerchief or ribbon counter, and
examines the articles display d there.
When the salesgirls are busy it is easy
to find an opportunity to push some
thing over the edge of the counter in
the omen mouth of the bag, which is
heId in the lap. When satisfied that
no more can be taken without arousing
snsnicion. the shoplifter arises, takes
hold of the bag, which is drawn to-
oether by it's own weight, and careless
| lv strolls Oft.
I'm wet DAYS the umbrella trick" is
brought into play, the detective said.
The umbrella, which is always large
| one. is leaned against the counter by
the operator and serves as safe recep-
tacle tor whatever articles opportunity
affords for the operator TO rake into II.
In one uptown store few days ago a
sbonlifter who had been working this
trici- became very fearful OF discovery,
and started to leave the store. LII was
ra;nino ut the time, and in her agitation
che forpetfully hoisted her umbrella IN
tho doorway. and was at once enveloped
in a shower of handkerchie1s, ribbons
and spools of colored silk. Amateur
shonlifters are also becoming very skill
fnl in secreting articles under their bon
nets and in their bosoms.
They do this on the pretext OF arrang-
mo the garment and often do 1t success,
fnliy under the eyes of some SD arp-eyed
n;ri detectiye who is pretending to ex-
,,;ns GOODS behind them, but who can
not see the stolen articles, though she
NAV be convinced that something has
been concealed.
Zone of the newest and most sue
oossfnI tricks resorted to by Well
dressed women" the detective contin-
u ned lis to conceal stolen articles under
their clothes by hitching them to their
The "sarter trick, as it is called, was
lately introduced here by an expert
Partisan shopliiter. who, ne says, nan
leo, RIM out of France by the police:
re to- oarters are made very strong, and