The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1894-08-10
BOLD DIAM] D THIEF.
Seized $4,000 Worth of Gems in
Johnston's Jewelrv store
Caught by Ore of the Sa'esmen ard
Overpowered.
Hundreds Of Persons In Union Square
Witness the Robbery.

In the broad light OF day and In the
presence of several hundred people
daring attempt was made to rob the
jewelry store of ]. Fl. Johnston & Co.,
II Union square, to-day.
The store Is situated on the northwest
corner OF Fifteenth street. directly OPP
posite Tlffany's. and IL one OF the big
gest stjres of It's kind In the city.
The robbery was attempted at time
when that side OF Union Square was
crowded Carriages rolled up and down.
The sidewalks were thronged, while 100
feet away. at Tiffany's, stood a 6-foot
policeman. James T. King. of the Broad
way squad.
The store floor of Johnston's is laid
out In long glass cases. each case being
filled with trays of diamonds anu
precious stones. The windows on the
square, as well as Fifteenth street, are
similarly laid out. Mr.. Johnston says
that the smallest case contains gems
valued at over $4,000.
| At 2.3o o'clock this Afternoon half a
dozen clerks were busy In the store
waiting upon customers. most Of whom
were women, whose carriages stood at
the door. They were selecting jewelry,
and neither the customers, clerks nor
in fact Mr.. Johnston himself raid the
slightest attention to a carefully dressed
man who entered with a black bag or
satchel IN his lett hand.
/ 1t 80 happened that no one was be-
hind the case that stood to the left of
the entrance near the Fifteenth street
corner. 1t was evident that the man
had studied the interior Of the store be-
fore he entered. AS a matter of fact II
was the most valuable case in the place.
| With the utmost GOODNESS and delibera-
ton the man walked in behind the case
and gnzed for a few minutes at the
glittering array before him. Then Just
as coolly he drew down the spring lock
which fastened the door, which swung
downward.
Just about this time Mr.. Johnston
saw the fellow. but he was too much
dazed at the mans audacity to utter
a word. The thief coolly reached his
hand into the case and took out a tray,
contai nG an assortment of diamonds
value at 5000.
| Then he opened the black bag which
he had brought with him. and emptied
the tray of diamonds into Il. This done,
he coolly fastened the bag again and
started to walk out OF the store.
| clerk named Allen, who was attend
ing customer near the door, happened
to look up just as the man was on the
point OF starting out, and instantly real
izing what was taking place, Allen gave
yell and at once grappled with the
thief. The yell seemed to act like magic
upon everybody else, for all the clerks
in the store as well as Mr.. Johnston,
made move forward.
There was a struggle for q few mo-
ments. and then the fellow. realizing
that escape was impossible, weakened
In fact. II looked as II the fear of the
consequences for the first time crossed
his mind, and he almost fell on the floor.
He was in a half crouching attitude
when Policeman King who had been
summoned from Tinany's corner, APP
peared and made him prisoner. He took
the man down to Police Headquarters,
Mr. Johnston going along to prefer the
necessary charge
At o'clock tomorrow mgfning the
thief will be lined up for the inspection
OF all OF Inspector McLaughlins men.
to see II any of them know him. The
belief Is that he is a professional thief.
The man, when arrested, gave the
name OF William Davis, and said he
lived at the Everett House. He is small
Of stature and is apparently about
thirty-six years old. He has a small
dark brown mustache and his teeth are
slightly decayed. He has the appear
ance of d waiter.