The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-11-29
THIEF SWALLOWS A RING.
HID IT IN MS MOUTH, AND DOWN
1T SLIPPED.

He Had Painsa on q RinE with = Paste
Diamond for One with = Genuine Stone
when Pawnbroker Gutter Discovered
the Triek-Then Came an DAD Disclosure.
A tall, smooth-shAven italian, with a sallow
complexion, walked into the pAwnshop of Bern
hard Gutter at l49 Park row yesterday after
noon. He was we'll dressed, and, taking q ring
set with n diamond and sapphire from his little
finger, he handed It to Gutter. who was behind
tho counter, saying:
II want TO get q solitaire ring. would give
thi, in exchange and pay something extra II
necessary"
Gutter examined the ring which tho young
man passed to him. aud then looked over his
customer.
II weighed him up as being able 70 pay $50 or
500" said Gutter a%fterwnrd.
Gutter took a tray from the window and se-
lected four solitaire rings from It. Each had n
price tag attached TO it by a little pink cord.
Gutter put the rings on his own fingers and
showed them to tho italian, at the same time
retaining the Italians ring. The prices OF the
rings ranged from $50 to 500. The young
Italian looked them over carefully, and finally
selected the $65 one for examination. Gutter
handed the ring to him. It was a rather heavy
setting, with a stone Weighing. Gutter sara, n
carat and a quarter. The young Italian put the
ring on his finger. but remarked that the light
was SO poor that he could not examine It to his
satisfaction.
Take It over 10 the window and you can see
better" said Gutter.
Thanks" said tho young Italian. and he
walked over toward the street door. He turned
his back to Gutter for a moment and then
walked back ana returned a ring, with n tag on
IL. Gutter slipped the ring on his finger, and
then the Italian. began to hagglo about the price.
=" cant afford so much money to- day, said
Uo. Out may STOP In some other QAy 1Or IL.
VII you kindly return my ring 7"
When Gutter started 10 tako the Italians ring
OF his finger he happened TO notice the ring
which the Italian had been examining.
tint nGTaeio5s" he exclaimed; that's not the
",Wha ring ~ Indignantly demanded the
substituted q fake diamond. You may think
you're slick, but I'm onto you" said the pawn
m oroa9 II. i knsw s,S oysf the e.s counts ,hs ao There and T Gs, q
ter told him to lock II. The man did SO and the
pawnbroker made another effort 10 get his ring
back. The Italian indignantly denied hayingi II
and stoutly persisted in his denial until Gutter
sent his friend for a policeman:
Now give back the ring and I'll let you GO"
The Italian said coolly:
Come back in the store and l will"
Gutter walked to tho rear OF the store with
the Italian. who opened his mouth and stuck
two fingers down his throat. Then he began TO
Good heavens, you don't mean to saJ you've
swallowed the ringI" exclaimed Gutter in
uiNiEhy.
The Italian simply nodded and kept putting
his fingers in his mouth. II was IA question OF
whether lie could produce the ring before the
policeman arrived and get his liberty or
whether lie would be caught with the stolen
ring in his possession. although he was the only
one now who could tell positively whether he
had it or not. Gutter was nearly frantic aud
he shook the man and slapped him on the
back with n viii. The ring did not mate
rializc. however. ana soon Polireman Connolly
OF the OAK street station came in with Cutters
friend. The Italian admitted having swallowed
4 lie n hft ha nlH fht.f ha n ID mn I Nnt IN
on his tongue to taste whether 1t was q real
diamond or not and that II had slipped down
his throat by accident. He was taken to tho
station house, where he said he was Tony Surru.
"a years old. n clerk. OF $50 Third avenue.
Capt. Nredenturgh detailed Detectives Cum
ninnham and Ham to take Surru to the Hud-
son Street Hospital. Afterward he was brought
back to the station house and placed in the
cell corridor in charge OF II turnkey. He will be
aTraigned in the Centre Street Police Court this
morning.
hutter WAS In n state of mind last night. The
thing h- could not ex plain WAS how the Italian
managed TO slip the tag from tho 500 ring aid
tie 1t on the paste diamond ring In so short n
time.