Evening star., 1897-03-12
THE DESIO ROBBERY.
1t is Thought the Police Know the
Diamond Thieves.

Although 1t was stated at police head
quarters today that there have been no
new developments in the Desio diamond
robbery, the belief, based on excellent au-
thority, is that the Identity of the trio of
thieves is known beyond possibility of
doubt to the local detectives at work on
the case. and that their capture is mera-
ly question CT time. In spite of the fact
that the work and actions of the Desio
robbers is generally considered somewhat
bungling and amateurish by the police, the
trio is nevertheless said to consist of men
with IecorCs, each of whom is well known
to the police throughout the country. From
information now supposed to be In the
hands of the detectives, 1t is thought that
all the Jewelry purloined from Mr.. Desio
will be recovered.
Circulars have been issued from police
headquarters and sent to the police Off
cials of all the large cities describing the
robbery. the thieves and the stolen goods
III is also announced that reward of $500
Will Ee paid by Mr.. Desio for the arrest of
the men and the recovery of the goods
William Hawiey and Jennie Sankey who
were arrested in this city few days prior
10 March 4, and held because of their un-
saFory regulations, until after the inaugu-
ration, were taken into custody last even
Ing in New York, charged with being ac-
lively concerned in big diamond robbery
IN Philadelphia last July that was almost
ldehtical in every detail with the recent
Desio theft. The victim was Zephrin T
Pequinot, SO6 Chestnut street 1t is said
mat the robbery was planned and executed
with such expertness that the jeWeler did
not know for fully half an hour that 1t
had been committed. 1t was little after
noon that two men and two women ali
"eH dressed and apparently strangers to
enc another, entered the store Each was
apparently very hard to suit. Finally one
or the men, who had expressed desire to
RI
thafked Mr.. Pequinot for his efforts to
serve him, and started. leisurely out. The
appearance of this man was SO eminently
respectable that neither the jeweler nor his
assiS tGnts thought to watch him as he
passed the window. The space back Of
the window was protected by an iron scroll
anu lace curtain.
The man who first went out and who
Is row Delleved to have been Hawley put
one hand through the scroll, tore aside the
curtain which was secured by tacks and
GREW cut tray of diamond rings, His
departure was followed by the other man
anu the Two women, and their exit was as
little calculated to arouse suspicion as had
been their entrance. The other man In the
case has been identified by the jeweler as
Barney Birch. The latter has been In ;aiJ
for several months past. and the arrest
of Hawley and Jennie Sankey is the re-
suit Of a confession, duplicating them inst
secured from Bircn.
When here last week Jennie Sankey was
with man named Sankey, who was sun
posed to he her husband. She did not seen
to be acquainted with Hawley and her ar
rest In connection with him in New York is
therefore surprise to the local police
Both parties. and particularly HaWIey.
have long criminal records which were
stated In The Star when they were taken
into custody here.
Inspector Hollinberger and the local de-
tectlves are of the opinion that HawIey
and Jennie Sankey had no knowledge of or
hand In the Desio robbery