The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-11-09
TRICKS 6F
SHIIP-IIFIERS
Old and New Methods of the
KIeptomaniacS.
HOOKS ON THE CARRIERS
One of the Most Common De-
vices Now Used.
HOOKS ON THE CARRIERS


World says:
IN Greater New York there are 1900
women shoplifrers.
You meet them on the street and you
know them nor. They look like perfect
ladies'" They are not frivolous, but they
cry is their dearest occupation.
To combat these three thousand wo-
men thieves there are not more than
/ fifty women detectives, exclusive Of the
regular police These detectives. in spite
q the fact that they are thoroughly &C
quaiated with the tricks 81 the shosnfter-.
dc not discover ens theft in dozen
The modern shoplifter goes into the de-
partment store thoroughly equipped for
her trade. she is 4 walking arsenal Of
thievish possibilities.
The ancient trick Of dropping a stolen
article into an open umbrella has had
its day. The hiding OF stolen things in
bag formed by sewing u7 the bottom
of a babys clothes can no longer be re
garoed as sefs for the modern shop
litter
/ Yet, strange to say, the professional
shoPlifter is far less dangerous 10 society
and far easier OF cetectisn than the oc-
easionaI Pilferer. the Wemaz Of wealth
and social standing. WAC steals because
/ she naturally Is thief.
The amateur thief. the clever woman
devoid OF principle, the woman who has
only been prevented by accident from
/ becoming = professional. the woman who
L rofn h. ~
than anything else or earth, who uses
her social position, her spotess reputa-
/ ton, her responsibility, as a cloak for
thievery, is the one to eb feared. She is
the hardest to detect and the hardest to
deal With. The detectives have to be alb
/ solutely sure Of their grours in dealing
/ with rile amateur. She usually steals
small articles which are 6imcult to hrd
Her timidlty betrays her Yet withaI
she has none of the mysterious resources
! and the mechanical appliances of the ha-
hitual .hoplifter
One Of the oldest tricks OF the profess
sion is what is known as the shoplifter's
skirt This consists of an extra skirt of
generous proportions. which is worn I'M
derheath the outer skirt. 1t is provided
With a long slit at one side. opening into
a eapacious pocket. Siillfully managed.
p pocket of this sort will accommodate
a great quantity Of goods
No shoplifter Of standing would now
attempt this trick. The modern shoplifter
prefers the garter device. The garte- is
made OF strong, stiff elastic. and is pro-
v:sed with dozen or more sharp hooks
It is fastened below the knee. OF course
Z 4f,s
stolen in this manner.
In Sixth avenue department store
woman was recently arrested with the
following articles suspended from her
hooks on her stockings:
y gold chain.
A pair of sleeve-buttons on a card.
A silk handkerchief
a valuable piece Of lace.
A chain purse.
A diamond ring.
A gold watch.
A pair of eye folding-glasses
A pair of silk stockings
When accused OF the theft the woman
confessed. but attempted TO mitErate the
offense Of herself when arrested by
claiming TO be e kleptomaniac-one Of the
SORT that go about carefully prepared
mr. equipped to satisfy their queer pas
sion for putting thsnascive. in possession
CT other peoples property.
The glove trick is more convenient than
the garter trick. but its scope Is SINH
larly limited. ne shepIirter. in work
ing this trick. carries q pair Of gauntlet
gloves in the left hand. so disposing them
that the wrist opening Of the upper glove
Is tapped open like the mouth OF : small
bag As she thief approaches the coun-
er casually the jewelry counter she picks
up 4 ring in her right hand an exam
Tres IT intentiy. Gradually she moves #
about until she holds the ring directly
ever the opening in the glove and about
a foot above II.
When the clerk turns his head she lets
the ring fall into the opening and ex-
amines second ring. which SHE had pick
ed up with the first one bat had hereto
fore Kept concealed under her singers.
After tirae she Laws the second ring
down. saying that she Goes cot Ike it,
and walks sway.
Next TO the baby trick the umbrella
trick IS about the easiest 10 work in
crowded store. The operator sides up TO
counter. places her unfsstenod umbrel-
II handle up, in 4 proper position. and
tren sweeps the things On vith a care
less motion. keeping her eyes turned II
another direction Like tie baby. how
ever. the umbrella is very apt 10 arouse
Suspicion. Moreover, on q rainy day IL has
its Inconvenience. More than one shop
lfter has been caught al this trick as she
y alked cut into the pouring pain without
rising an umbrella (an act which VII
instantly attract the attention OF &C.
tecrive9 Or ~ raising the umbrella II
forr.tfrl moment md th-roay unload
inr ard exposing ths r-snlts . days
hard werk
The method. known tc the police ard
tn profession IS Visiting tricks" have
enjoyed the days q ushefulness They
hsre given way % others and less likely
to attract attention. One OF these Is The
false hostoned shopping bag. made ex-
pg sssly for shoplifting purposes. = ap-
pesranc= The bag differs il ao way frsn
an ordinary has.
The nethod % using the bag Is rery
simple. The sSstor. + composed Of Two
a.n- r stiff feather v0-Si-E or th-
iit-le hinges ard -p--ins n re riddle
tx. II, false pictures through which the
c,cv~- ..s harlequin are won't - dive
= tAa Huxpty D;r-sPty shev-. These
saes s-s neatly Atte6 Together sas sre
held eevvn ~ STE steel spring
AIMED with IT'S sns eniecs arrangement.
the shsrlfr-- s-keS sat e franz ~
The csu,-e~. sna. according 70 TIE des-
G ipiis1 - o-e who h-s ser y verk.