The times., 1897-03-31
A BOLD TH|EF's SUCCESS
Stole a Grip Containing $l,676
From the VatOIdi Restaurant.
NO CLEW TO HIS IDENTITY
Followed Treasurer Babendrier. of
the Metropolitan Railroad, From
tractiEg the Cashiers Attention,
Took the yalise and Walked Out.

Arthur O. Babendricr, an official OF the
Metropolitan Electric Railway Company,
was robbed Of satchcl containing the sum
OF 81 ,676, belonging TO the company, while
at dinner shortly after 1 O'Clock in the
Vatoldi dining-rooms, ON Ninth, between
L and f streets northwest The thief
succeeded in making good his escape, aud
save for the fact that several persons were
able to give description of the man, there
is 10 clue to his identity.
Yesterday was pay day with the com
pany, and Mr.. Babendrier went to the
Washington Loan and Trust Company's
| bank. where the Metropolitan company
| keens it's account, and Dire W the sum named
for the purpose of paying the weekly
salaries of the conductors, molormen and
other employees of the road. The sum
named was turned over by the paying
teller, mostly in bills Of small denonna-
ton, and wrapped in packages of 500
each. This Mr. Babendrier placed care
fully IN his satchel and left the bank.
He boards and rooms at the Vatoldi, and
on pay days makes practice of coming
to the bank generally between 2 and
O'Clock, so as to take lunch at his board
ing place.
yesterday he followed his usual custom.
Upon entering the dining rooms, Mr. Ba-
bendrier handed the grip over 10 tie young
lady cashier, with the request that she
look after ii while he ate his lunch. The
valise was placed just behind the desk,
and was not missed until Mr.. Babendricr
had finished his lunch.
Shortly after he had seated himself and
given his order, Il well-dresseu.man of good
appearance entered the room, and gong
up To the cashiers desk, asked for eiei
ham sandwiches, adding trat he wished
them wrapped up, so that he could take
them away.
He said he was in hurry and request
ed that they be gotten as quickly as pos
sble In order to expedite matters the
young lady stepped from behind her desk
to one of the walters to give the order
1t was necessary for her 10 20 10 the
farther end of tie room, and while she
was away the mysterious stranger reached
slyly behind the desk and grasped the
valise lie was very calm and display
DO uneasiness, but as soon as he had ii in
his hand he turned quickly around and
Ntbl puA llG htOA, itiliCi hAli- W Nli' vi
ored boy who stood near that he would
return in a few moentS and get the sand
wiches. He has not been seen since.
The room was quite well filled with
people at the time. hut the mans actions
were not suspicious, and he did not at
tract any particular attention. The coloTed
hoy saw him with the valiseiu his hand, but
thinking ii belonged to him, made no
effort to interfere. Mt. Rahendrier was
seated with his hack partly turned toward
the desk, so that he did not Seethe man, and
did not discover his loss until he came TO
reclaim his satchel
There was considerable excitement when
the loss became known, and Judge Kim
ball. Of the police court, who was lunciIing
at the Vatoldi at the time advised the
loser to at once notify detective head
quarters by telephone. Inspector HOl-
linberger ut once dispatched Detective
Carter to the scene and Detective Sutton
was also sent from No. l station, and
began thorough investi iEation of the
case II was learned that the thief had
been seen for some time hanging around
the bank building at Ninth and streets,
and had doubtless observed Mr.. Baben-
drier as he entered and drew out large
sum OF money.
The man IS described as a bout fifty years
old. weight about So, florid face, and
well dressed n a business sut. He was
about D feet inches tall, had gray hair
and rnoustache, and wore eye glasses
clew which may prove to he important
was obtained yesterday afternoon about
O'Clock, when Mr.. Campbell, proprietor of
the Vienna Lunchrooms on F street near
Ninth, found a satchel in a closet on the
second floor OF his building. Without open
ing he at once notified Policeman Boyce
at the corner Of Ninth and F, who took it
to the Vatoldi, where it was readily identi-
fled as the one stolen from Mr.. Babendrier
II contained nothing but a few Papers n
which the bills had been wrapped and sew
eral rubber bands which had been about
the money. It was taken to No. ] station.
As result of the robbery the Metropol-
itan employees will be delayed one day in
receiving their salaries and will be paid
today.