The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1900-08-07
CHASED Thieves.
Mr.. Brophy's Capture Of Two
Burglars Gains Him the
Chiefs Praise.
SPOILS MYSTER)oHSLY DISAPPEARED
Story of bundles Antics
Sounds Like a
Riddle.

Two old time sneak thieves came to this
city yesterday to do lob" They did it
and then came to grief through the vigil
ance of a citizen who followed them for
several blocks. When arrested they had
full Set OF tools with them, but the
goods were not on them, with the excep-
ton of an empty wallet. The men gave
fictitious names when arrested. They said
they were John White of Ohio and George
Lawrence of Philadelphia. White is sixty
eight years, old and Lawrence IS nifty
elght.
The men yesterday entered the apart
ments OF John McEntee, OF No. 1l2 Wayne
street. near Jersey avenue. There was
no one in the house at the time, the
family being off on a pleasure trip. They
entered by means OF a skeleton key,
which was unusually good and well made.
lney worked quickly and gathered all the
available valuables in a pile. A bundle
was made of them and placed in a pillow
case.
The thieves made some noise that at
Brophey, who lives just above the Nc
Entles Mr. Bropny got home to dinner
about l:30 O'Clock. His wife told him of
the noise. She was excited and feared bur-
gltrs were IN the house.
Mr. Brophy Went out into the hall and
watched Ior turtner developments. lie
saw the door OF the McEntee' parlor open
and mems head appear The man glanc-
ed up and down the hall to see If the
coast was clear. He was evidently satis-
ned with the situation because few sec
onds after he and another man appeared.
Brophy watched them so that he would
Know them again.
White is a short man with white
whiSkers. He is a. meek looking in
dividual dressed like a working man. His
companion is burly man, big and
sinister looking. A dark stubby mustache
almost hides an ugly scar on his lip.
The two men hurriedly descended the
stairs TO the street. Lawrence carried
the bundle. Brophy followed them 10 the
STREET loking for an officer. The men did
not know they were being watched and
continued on their way leisurely. They
walked up Wayne street to Varick cross
ing at Railroad avenue.
Brophy then lost sight of the thieves.
He asked several citizen if they had seen
the men, describing them. but none had.
He fingered about the corner for a time
and soon saw them leave the saloon of
Colbert Brothers at the corner of Rail
road avenue and Varick street. They did
not have the bundles.
The chase then led along Varick street
to Mercer, to Jersey avenue. At the
policeman. Brophy told Sniffen of the
men and his suspicious. Sniffen called
patrolman Sanders and they stopped the
two men. When questioned they said they
Were seeking work.
Sniffen noticed that they seemed very
anxious to conceal something under their
coats. They were placed under arrest and
where Captain Cody interview them. They
protested their innocence but were held
nevertheless,
Then the pair were searched On them
was found a complete list of burglars
tools. There was a very fine skeleton
key. A well made and apparently much
| used jimmy a window knife and a chisel,
several small coins, q box Of culpher
matches. two pairs of gren eye glasses
and Mr.. McEntee's wallet
! The disappearance of the bundle the
l
Brophy saw them before they entered the
saloon they had the bundle, but they did
not have it when they came out. The
| bartender who was on duty at the
| time the men entered said White bought
| a drink at the bar but Lawrence, bundle
| in hand, walked to q rear room of the
saloon. Lawrence did not return to the
| barroom, meeting White outside a few
! minutes later. 1t is supposed that a third
man met Lawrence alia carried the booty
| away.
| Police Justice Hoos held the two men
! in 1900 bail each to await the action Of
the Grand Jury. The prisoners had moth
/ ing to say
When Mr Brophy told the story Of his
chase in court this morning he was highly
complimented by Chief Murphy and
| Police Justice Hoos.
There are great many citizens who
would allow the same opportunity to slip
through their fingers through fear or lack
of interest, said Chief Murphy to Mr..
Brophy; Your action has ibeen of the
and to the citizens at large. You deserve
! the htanks of the community If all men
/ showed the same energy in such mat
ssYou deserve great credit, Mr.. Brophy."
said Justice Hoos. ''and we thank you"
/ Chief Murphy is now at work getting
together the data which will show the
/ We're old timers and vel known to the
/ police throughout the country.
Mrs McEntae says she does not know