The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-10-12
A Sneak Thief Who has GITsn Bos-
tonians Much Trouble
WAS RECOGNIZED BY A VICTIM
Who Caused Him to He Placed Behind
the Bsrs-How He Worked {" Houses
Where There Mere Rooms to Let
How He Was Run Down.

BOSTON, Oct. i2-Through the instru-
mentality OF q lady with q good memory
the Boston police were yesterday enabled
sneak thief tor whom the officers have
been so long looking.
Mrs. w. II. Sherwood of 2ss Newbury
street was crossing the Public Garden
yesterday forenoon, when her attention
was drawn to a man, evidently q German,
about "a years of age, who was sitting on
one Of the benches. She looked at him
again, and for the time being could not
place him, but In an instant she recot-
lected that he had called at her house os-
tensibly to hire \ room, and while she had
gone to get a drink Of water ut his re-
quest, he hastily made his disappearance.
at the same time taking with him, as she
believes, . solid gold watch and chain.
This happened away back last August,
but she was positive that he was the q
Officer Sherborn placed the man In Gus
tody on the strength of Mrs. Sherwood's
statement, and with the assistance OF
another officer took the man to station 10.
The man refused TO be interviewed and
would only state that his name 10 Charles
Demont, that he has no home In this vicin-
ity, that he Is 81 years of age and was born
In New Brunswick.
A Slick Rascal.
According to the police the fellow Is q
common. notorious. thief, and will so be
indicted by the grand jury, IL possible.
1t Is he, they allege, who has been doing
all Of the important "sneak" work In this
city for months past, operating I'm the
West End, Back Bay, Roxbury and Dor
chester and all Of the residential districts
close by.
The fel, owls mode of operation has been
to 60 to houses where there are signs indi-
eating that there are rooms TO rent and, In
curing for the landlady, ask 20 be shown
the best in the house. After he has looked
at the room for n while, he usually asks
for a glass of ice-water. The woman goes
to get the water, and when she returns
her guest is missing, and with him some
valuables.
His appearance In this city was first
noted about the last of June or the first Of
July, and since that time the police have
been doing their utmost to capture him,
but without avail.
Wears Fine Clothes.
When arrested the German was neatly
ohScSSu IA 1AotA &AShhhuH oh4 q accas
ga in his possession. He wore several
articles Of jewelry, which the police firmly
believe were stolen.
In his necktie was a round gold pin, on
which Is the figure Of a fly with = diamond
for the head and an emerald for body part.
On the back OF the pin was the inscription.
"Alma. 1885" On one finger the prisoner
wore q large diamond in y massive gold
setting OF rather peculiar shape. On the
other finger he wore q solid gold ring set
with diamonds, two rubies and two en-
eralds.
He also wore a gold h~unting-case stop
watch, with q double chain, having on the
other end a gold pencil, and for q charm a
knight of Pythias emblem.
Also In the mans possession was found
a lady's fob chain of gold and pearl links,
with a charm In the shape Of . horses
head In pearl. Also q gold toothpick,
besides a silk handkerchief marked with q
large letter an"