The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1901-03-27
HILL s DUAL LIFE
Known as a Crack Amateur
Bioyclist He Spent His
Off Hours Stealing.
HOUSE FILLED WITH pLUHDER
Police Ask All Who Have
Been Robbed to Take a
Look at the Stock.

About two weeks ago Inspector Archi-
bold of Police Headquarters was notified
that one Benjamin Hill, who had resided
in West Hoboken for several years and
was suspected of being professional
burglar, had removed to Ne. 20s Leonard
street which is only a short distance on
the Jersey City side of the line that di-
vides West Hoboken from this city. De-
tectives Hottie and Gallagher We're sent
to the house to watch. They had instruc-
tlons not to make any arrests unless the
evidence against Hill was most con-
vincing. This stand was taken because
Hill was very well known in the northern
section of the county. He was an amateur
bicycle rider of ability and had won many
prizes. In 1899 he won second prize in a
twenty-five mile road race on the Boule-
ward. He had the respect of great num-
Der of citizens and was regarded as an
estimable citizen himself up to a few
months ago when there occurred frequent
daring robberieS in the northern towns
Sergeant Vetter, of the West Hoboken
police, learned some things that led him
to suspect Hill and a close watch was
kept on HILL
Becoming aware that he was an object
OF unusual interest to the police authori-
ties, he moved over the boundary line
into this city, just far enough away to
be out of the jurisdiction of the West
Hoboken authorities, and will keep in
touch with his field of operations.
After two weeks watch Hottie and
Gallagher were rewarded yesterday after
noon by seeing Hill leave his house, car
ry1ng large bundle. Gallagher started
after the suspect. Hill, seeing that he
was followed, became frightened He
dropped the bundle and ran. That was
enough for Gallagher. He took up the
chase and called to the fugitive to stop.
Then he fired several shots in the air,
hoping to bring Hill to standstill or
attract the attention of those toward
whom Hill was running.
The shots only seemed to give Hill more
speed His training as a bicycle rider
made his legs stronger and his wind bet
ter than Gallagher's. The chase led for
almost mile along New York avenue
across the dividing line and into West
Hoboken, and then into Cortlandt street.
At Summit avenue man named James
Doyle attempted to stop Hill and he was
violently thrown to the ground. Hill ran
INTO q vacant mouse at NO. liz COrtlanut
street and sought safety in the attic. He
was quickly overpowered and taken to the
West Hoboken police station.
The reserves of the Sixth precinct police
station were called out and the house at
No. 206 Leonard street searched. There
Hills wife and man who describes
himself as Joseph Fisher were found bus
lily arranging a great lot of goods of all
kinds in boxes and on shelves. Mrs. Hill
ana Fisher were arrested and this morn
ing arraigned before Police Justice Muir
ply and held for further examination.
Among the articles taken from the
house were several sets of silverware and
plated cutlery, a bicycle, several sets of
tires, sectional jimmy such as successful
burglars use, and a number of ornamen-
tai trinkets. Much was of very little
value.
The authorities of all the neighboring
cities have been notified of the arrests and
the details of the case and all who have
been robbed of late are requested to call
at Police Headquarters and see of they
recognize any Of the articles taken from
Hills huuse.