Evening journal., 1896-11-03
The JEWELSWERE GONE
DR.. Merolla Put Them In a
Neighbours Safe.
THE CUSTODIAN IS NOW IN JAIL.

When the Gems We're Wanted. the strong
Box Combination Was Missing-The Po-
lice Finally Forced Open the safe. but
the Jeweiry Was Not There.
BRtooKIYN, Nov. 3.-Dr Generro Merol-
a. VINO lives at 20 Second place, this city,
Iieoiares that he has been the victim Of
narp bunko trick and accuses his next
loor neighbor. William A. Thompson
thompson denies the charge, but is locked
s1p In the Raymond street Jail and Will
ave an examination tomorrow.
The story began four years ago. when
u. Merolla and his wife moved into the
&econd place house. They soon mado the
5 soquaintance of their next door neighbors
here was Mr. Thompson who at that
mo was % years Of age, his wife and
Nc latter's aunt, a Mrs Lloyd The lat
& II owned the house, and tho young couple
3 we'd with her While there was never
& ny great intimacy between the members
a the two households they were always
10 neighborly terms and two years ago
hen Mr.. and Mrs. Thompson were go
2 away for the summer, they gave Mrs
Perolla a small box saying it contained
fwelry and asked her to take care Of TO-
Il hich she did.
Il Last summer It was Mrs. Merollas turn
n go to the country, and she was IN
& @landary as to what TO do with her Jewell
and silverwaro Sho mentioned her
~ lemma to Mrs. Thompson
/ You needn't worry about that " ra.
led the latter, "Willie has safe in his
f pom, aud your valuables will be out of
Nnger there.
Mrs. Merolla approved and the next day
& lnded Mrs Thompson a small box con-
lining a diamond brooch IN the shape Of
Z star, gold bracelet with a horseshoe
top set with IL diamonds, gold
I. atch, one diamond ring and one plain
#ng Wrapped up in a small bundle wore
silver teaspoons and tablespoons.
lis was on July 9.
The next day DR.. and Mrs. Merolla left
s e city, and a few days later Mrs. Thomp-
b and her aunt did likewise, leaving
e Thompson TO keep bachelors hall
Failed to AIaterIalize.
The Merollas returned to their home on
b 2S, and before they had fairly got
# NE door messenger from Mr.. Thomp-
asked If they were ready for their
hables. They replied that they wero
9 the valuables did not materialize.
Yer waiting few days the Merollas
M for them.
Mr.. Thompson was not only sorry but
mortified beyond expression. In some
= the combination of his safe had, he
d, become disarranged, but he would
lend to the matter in few days.
he Merollas were complaisant until
y Of their friends was going to be mar
4. Then Mrs. Merolla wanted TO wear
iewelry, and asked Thompson for
m.
am awfully sorry, the latter is said
& have replied, but my wife has the
animation Of the safe. and l can't opon
ntil she returns. However, If you are
hurry for the things, III got an ex-
from the company tomorrow and
# G him open the safe -
fter several days, as the Merollas were
without their jewelry, they notified
police. Detective Murphy called at the
lmpson house with a safe expert named
neroy.
thompson welcomed them with ap-
bnt oordiality. 81 wish you would
the thing said he, "I'm sick and
d Of keeping the stuff "
he expert, accompanied by Thompson,
rphy and Dr. Merolla, went to the FIRST
front room where the safe was lt
a small affair, painted brown. Any
glar could have opened It in two min
Pomeroy olasped the lock with a
ag. " and in exactly 30 seconds the
swung back, exposing an empty in
pr.
My God" cried Thompson, clutching
hair, Eve been robbed %
oh, no" said DIR. Merolla, IN his
zen English, 1T Is who have been
ied -
rhe best thing you can do, young
- said Murphy, is TO tell what you
done with the things"
hompson seemed TO accept the advice
produced pawnticIets for all the arti-
and handed them TO the detective
Of these tickets bear the dato OF July
rowing they had been pawned on the
day Mrs. Merolla had given them to
Thompson He raised S62 on all the
les. Thompson was then taken to
Butler street police court where, in
OF his admission Of having pawnod
goods, he entered plea OF not guilty,
was held in ST. 600 bail. He said his
and aunt were in JefTersonville, Vt,
that ho did not know when they
d return.