New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-09
ROBBED IN AN ICEBOX.
A REMARKABLE STORY TOLD BY AN ITAL-
IAN IN CENTRE-sT. COURT.

One OF the most remarkable stories told I'm the
Centre-st police court In many days was unfoided
yesterday morning by Gaetano Re- an Italian. hv-
ing at No 81 James-st Many weird romances and
tales Of terrible outrages poured into the ears
OF the presiding magistrates IN the Centre-st
court particularly by foreigners, who come as COM
painants usually hoping thereby to secure the ar
rest Of some particularly obnoxious enemy But 1t
remained for Re 10 recie the most ingenious of all
According TO that of Italy January he
went into butcher shop at No 100 Park-st. TO buy
soup bone. In paying for IT he displayed a purse
I'm which were five one-dollar bills This. Re al
leges. excited the cupidity OF Frank Duran.
jOurneyman butcher employed In the shop. who
waited on him. There was In the shop at the same
time other man besides Duran. but Re says he
did not notice him No sooner had he paid for the
meat. Re declares than re was seized from behind
pair OF strong arms pinioned his hands TO his
sides. and he carried to big icebox in one
corner of the room. There the door opened
and, despite his struggles. Re says he was thrown
with terrific force to the floor OF the box He was
stunned for a moment but the atmosphere OF
the box revived him, and he attempted TO rise
but was struck down again By powerful blow on
the face. The door OF the big box had been closed
causing inky darkness and Re could not see his
assailant. but from the voice which commanded
him TO remain on the floor he knew II was Duran.
he says. After he was knocked to the floor Re
says. Duran and the other man started to go
through his pockets to find the purse. He strug-
sled and cried for assistance and. although IT was
broad daylight and several customers were In the
shop not dozen feet away. the thick walls OF the
refrigerator deadened all sound
Holding him to the floor Re swears. the two men
took all his money. and then. kicking him into I'M
consciousness they left the box carefully closing
the door behind them The Icy air again revived
the Italian and he tried to get out. but found the
door securely locked from the other side.
He does not know how long he remained in the
box. but says It seemed hours. and that he was all
but frozen to death. when he heard some one slip
the bolt back and walk away. Re tried the door,
and Anding II unlocked. walked out into the shop
Duran was not there. and the man in charge de-
manded TO know what he was doing In the meat
box. and declared II he made any fuss he would
call in an officer and have him arrested for at
tempting to steal meat. Once in the street Re
made his way 10 the Eliza beth-st. police station
and there told his story.
When arraigned before Magistrate Brann In the
Centre-st. police court yesterday morning Duran
declared that Re must be mistaken, that he had
him before and also that he had never
robbed any one In his life Magistrate Rrann
however. held Duran for trial In 5000 bail. Not
having any surety Duran. protesting his innocence
taken TO the Tombs.
The police inclined TO believe the Italians
story they say Re did not know Duran. and
would therefore have motive In making the
charge against him were 1t not true.