The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-06-19
Those ShOpliftcrs.

| Edior of The Tribune.
Dear Sir-The police force of this city,
led by Chief Simpson. are doing their
| best to cover themselves with glory over
the recent arrest of the Italian gang of
shoplifters. who, during the past few
mnoths, have stolen goods from the
merchants of Scranton worth a good
| few thousands of dollars. Now, the
| fact of the matter is simply this: the
| police are deserving of the severest
censure for their action in the whole
preliminary proceedings, as they posi-
lively did nothing whatever to run
down the gang and had it not been for
the untiring energy of G. l.. AckeIman
jeweler 224 Wyoming avenue, the
thieves would undoubtedly have re-
mained unmolested still.
Briefly stated, the facts of the case
are as follows: A week ago Mr.. Ack-
erman lost two solid gold watches, and
in thinking the matter over had no diff
ficulty in placing the theft at the door
of the Italians who We're yesterday
brought before Alderman Millar Be
lieving that the shoplifting was the
work of shrewd professionals, he at
once set out to find If his brothers in
trade had suffered likewise. The re-
suit was that almost every jeweler in
the city was caught the same way and
a comparison of events and notes led
to the belief that the thieves resided in
the city.
Before any action was taken Chief
Simpson was notified, and all the in
formation at command was placed be-
fore him. His answers to questions,
etc, simply amounted to this in SUD-
stance: You locate the thieves and
I'll see they're prosecuted" but from
the day information was first given by
Mr.. Ackerman he did not, so far as we
know, bulge a peg to search for them.
About noon on Friday last Officer
Meinzer, then on duty on Lackawanna
avenue, saw one of the Italian women
in the store of Edwin G. Lloyd. Mr..
Pryor, an employe, recognized the
woman as leader of the gang and passed
the word to Mr.. Alderman and the
officer, meanwhile shadowing her as
she left the store, till he came up with
MeinZer, who knew she was wanted.
For some mysterious reason that officer
wanted to change his clothes, although
he could have placed his hand upon her
and taken her in, and while he was EN-
gagged working up his mystery the
woman escaped, going to Green Ridge,
presumably, on the noon train.
These facts rekindled the belief that
seemed to be perfectly well known, yet
the police were still inactive, waiting
for something to turn up. Seeing that
the police would or could do nothing,
although one of the officers was in a po-
sition to Identify the leader, Ackerman
kept up his search and on Monday
spotted the same woman with three
men on Spruce street. Once more an
officer had to be sent for, and Meinzer
came along again and picked up the wo-
man he had already let go. After her
arrest hours were wasted with nom
sense and inactivity. The three men
were allowed ITO go and got home
ahead of the police quite a long time
AS result none of the valuable Jew
elry or diamonds stolen have been
found, the thieves being allowed ample
time to place or dispose of the swag as
they saw fit
At the hearing yesterday afternoon
the crowd were held in $500 bail and
there is not a business man in the city
that does not think they were dealt
with too leniently, as they are all
known to be worth money, proba ably
amassed from their operations among
our merchants. Among the party who
went to raid the home of the thieves
special credit Is due to the exertions of
Captain Edwards as leader, and the un-
firing work OF Mr.. Pryor, Edward Mil |
Ter and, last but not least, Mr.. Acker-
man. We may add that the report pub
llshed in your issue Of this date Is the
most accurate of any that has yet ap-
peared. Trusting you will give this a
place I'm your first issue. as we believe |
in giving honor to whom honor is due
we are Yours,
G. l.. Ackerman.
Il. w. Millar.
Scranton, June 49,
DO NOT NEGLECT the symptoms of |
impure blood. DO not disregard Natures |
cry for help. Take Hoods Sarsaparilla |
and guard against serious Illness and pro-
longed suffering.
HOODS PILLS for the liver and bowels. |
act easily yet promptly and effectively.
The cry Is still the same for those mild,
delicious Pocono 5's.
Buy the Weber