Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-12-21
CAUGHT A GAY CROOK.
Detective Robinson Sets an Innocent
Looking Trap and
A BALTIMORE THIEF FALLS IN.
He Picks Few Pockets Just to show That
lie Is an Expert.
VIcTIMIzING THE HOLIDAY SHOPPERS

With the rushing business incident to
holiday preparations, thieves, shoplifters
and pickpockets have been getting in their
work in the crowded downtown stores
Several cases have been reported to the po-
lice in the rast few days, but they keep the
information quiet in the hope of making a
capture. Vast quantities of stuff is stolen
daily which the proprietors never hear Of
At one Market street store yesterday an old
lady was robbed of purse containing
$63 The thief, whoever he or she was, had
pocketbook when she was paying her bill
and knew it contained comfortable sum.
After completing her purchases she placed
the purse in q hand satchel she carried, and
snapped it shut. Some time afterward she
found the satchel open and her purse gone
A Baltimore crook, supposing his line of
business was being neglected here, came 10
the city yesterday morning. He had the
air peculiar to his class in the Monumental
City, and, notwithstanding his dapper ap-
pearance, attracted the attention of De-
tective Robinson on Market street yester-
day afternoon.
A Detectives Clever Trap.
The young man was in the crowd at the
Fourth avenue corner. Robinson pulled
his hat down over his eyes and siding up
to him gave him nudge and beckoned him
aside. Then a queer conversation took
place.
"How's the graft?" asked Robinson,
adopting the pickpocket dialect.
"Bad Haven't struck nothing yet"
answered the Baltimorean, falling into the
trap. o.
'How long have you been in town." was
the next question.
"Just come from Bait this morning. Had
to Jump out there for getting gents watch
and chain. 1 got away from the cop"
"If you are any good you can go with
Us" said Robinson. "We're just going to
work = job on the inside (referring to . big
store across the streeD and We need some
help. Are you stall (principaD or tool
(assistant)?"
81 work either end. All the same to
me" was the reply.
"Wen, get into the crowd, then, till
can see your STYLE" was tine detectives
command.
Showed He Was an Adept.
4uo oIucT WIS ODeyeQ Win dlac-
rity. In less than a minute the
young fellow had his hand in a
woman's pocket, but withdrew it
on a sign from Robinson without taking
anything or attracting the lady's attention.
He was then taken to another show window
around which there was big crowd. There
the young man again demonstrated his
ability. While the young man was looking
for "pokes," as he called women's purses,
the detective called Officer Peoples atten-
tion to him and the young man was arrested.
At Central station he gave his name as
Charles Smith. The police found he was
actually wanted in Baltimore for the rob-
berry of watch and chain, and telegraphed
the police there they could have him.
Officer Bremen arrested three men on
Sixth street yesterday who are evidently
strangers. They were working back and
forth through the crowds of Christmas
buyers, evidently with the intention of
picking pockets They refused to give
names, and were locked up as suspicious
characters.