The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1901-08-23
BEL DENS CAUGHT
Thieves Two Smart Jersey
Policemen Allowed to
Escape Arrested in
New York.
TRIAL WILL SOON Be. HELD
Extradition Proceedings at
Once Begun Pawn Tick
cts Recovered.

Marie Peters, alias Mrs. Cooper, alias
Mrs. Ernest Belden, and her husband,
Ernest Belden, alias Cooper, who robbed
the home of Mr. James Connolly, of the
Tax Commissioners office late in June,
We're arrested yesterday in New YORK
City. They are held at the Tombs there
to await extradftion to this city to stand
trial for the robbery of Mr.. Connolly.
They will be brought here in few days.
They are the thieves whom Policemen
Valentine and Nevin refused to arrest
when Mr.. Connelly's clerk saw them on
Grove street.
Mr.. Connolly engaged the woman about
the middle of June as a housekeeper.
She was in his employ about two weeks
when she packed up about $500 worth of
valuables and left. The case was reported
to Chief Murphy and he Immediately be-
gan a systematic search of criminal rec
ords to learn who the woman really was.
When his data was completed the Chler
had circular printed giving q full de-
scription of the Beldens, their pictures,
details of their methods and manners ana
such information as would lead to their
capture. These circulars were sent broad
cast throughout the United States and
Canada 1t was on these circulars that
the New York police arrested the two in
house at NO. s6 Leroy street. Upon
their apprehension Chief Murphy heard
from Captain Titus and he began extra
dition proceedings.
The Beldens are two of the slickest ana
most generally wanted sneak thieves IN
the country. They are both possessed OF
unusual nerve Only short time after
the robbery of Mr.. Connelly's house the
two came back to this city and even
walked in the vicinity of Mr.. Connolly
house. A young man employed by MI.
Connolly recognized them and directed the
attention of Policemen Valentine and
Nevin to them, but the officers refused to
place them under arrest because they held
no warrant. The two escaped and for
their stupidity Valentine and Nevin were
fined five days pay each by the Board OF
Police Commissioners.
After their lucky escape the Beldens
went to New York City and took up
quarters at No. 3e Leroy street.
While they were thus comfortably
housed the authorities of every city in
the Union and the Pension Bureau were
looking for them, and finally Detective
Brady of Captain Titus's staff found
them. He recognized the pair from Chief
Murphy's description. The two were
down for trial in Special Sessions in New
York City, but the Court suspended pro-
ceedings SO that the authorities of this
city might have the first chance at them.
It is a matter. of courtesy for the police
of one city to turn prisoners over to the
authorities of another city who are par
ttcularly anxious to find the criminals.
Chief Murphy this morning telegraphed
to Mr.. Connolly who was on his vaca-
ton, that the thieves were under arrest
and would soon be brought to trial.
Mrs. Belden was the widow of Captain
James Peters, who served In the civil
War. She drew a pension, and after her
marriage to Belden in Newark some years
ago she continued to draw the pension.
The Pension Bureau learned of the mar
rage and began proceedings against the
woman. She heard Of the Bureaus ac-
ton and fed the city. Since that time
she has been travelling all over the coun-
try doing sneak thief work with her hus-
band Belden is young enough to be the
woman's son.
1t is likely that most of Mr.. Connolly S
goods will be recovered as the police are
in possession of several of the pawn
tickets.