The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1898-12-17
A CROOK
IN LIMBO.
Lutman is of Tender Age, But old IL
Knavery.
HELD FOR STEALING OVERCOATS.
He Relieved Clothing Store Dummies o
Their Coverings His Work Was one
In Day Light-The Prisoner Be-
longs to a Gang OF Thieves.

Through a case Of petty larceny the police
yesterday Gagged one of the gang Of daring
young robbers who have been pestering the
citizens and authorities of the town for some
time past The prisoner is Peter Lutman, a
Lithuanian of but 10 years of age but twice
that number in experience as law breaker.
He was looked upon as one OF the leaders of
the West Coal street gang" of which Burns
and GoOdelewicz, the two youths caught iH
Stockers store last Sunday morning, were
also prominent members
Lutman is audacious and shrewd and it has
heretofore been impossible TO fasten charge
upon him. Yesterday he took an overcoat
from one of the dummies standing in front
Refowich's clothing store, on South Main
street One of Mr.. Refowich's clerks followed
| the thief two squares down the street and
caught him. Lutman agreed to return to the
store and prove that the coat he was wearing
was not the stolen garment but at Oak
street he gave the clerk the slip, disappeared
through narrow alley next to Morgan's
shoe store, ran through the yards at the rear
to Pear alley, thence to Centre street, and
was lost to sight.
The clerk appealed to Policemen Butler
and Matz, whom he met shortly after, and
they got clew to the thiefs identity. They
searched several places on West Coal street
and finally struck trail that led them up
the mountain in the direction of the ceme-
teries. They found Lutman in the bushes
He was wearing two overcoats, the one that
had been stolen from RefOwichs and another
stolen from a clothing store at the corner of
Main and Oak streets.
As the police approached Lutman ex-
claimed, II know what you want me for-for
that gold watch"
what gold watch ?" asked Butler.
80, you go to - you want to know too
much, " insolently retorted Lutman.
Reference is made to this for the benefit of
anyone who has been robbed of gold watch
lately and has not complained to the police.
When before Justice Toomey. Lutman was
brazen and aggravatngly insolent. When
asked by the Justice to plead he responded
with an oath and used similar language
when the Justice invited him to interrogate
the witnesses. Mr.. Refowich was the only
prosecutor. the other clothing dealer decin-
ing to make charge. Lutman's behavior
was so provoking that Justice Toomey lost
no time in disposing of the case, and com
mitted the prisoner in default of $500 bail.
Constable Giblon took Lutman to Jail this
morning.
When Constable GiblOn went to the lookup
this morning to get Lutman he found the
prisoner clothed only in flannel undershirt.
The prisoner had torn all his clothing and
his hat to pieces while in a fit of anger.
The constable borrowed a pair of oyeralls, a
coat and hat in which to clothe the prisoner
to take him to Pottsvile. After the hand
cuffs Acre placed Lutman said perhaps you
think can't slip out of these" Giblon re-
| nlitd "If Won do I'l rive Won frepd o,n -
Lutman promptly spat upon his wrists,
rubbed them and was soon making such
headway towards removing the handouts
that the constable deemed i. advisable to
push the levers couple of notches each.