The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-01-16
POLICE UNEARTH GANG
YOUNG NEGRO THIEVES
Had Den Under Auditorium Theatre and When Raded by
Police Many Stolen Articles Were Found-One of the
BOYS Confesses and Betrays His Pals

An organized gang of negro thieves, the
oldest not over 10 years, with leader as
mysterious as the famed Captain Memo,
den in which to spend the hours of day
light and a black record back of 1t, has
been unearthed by the police.
The gang. which is composed OF about
fifteen boys, is said to have its den under
the Auditorium. The members sleep dur
ing the day when the sun prevents work.
ing at their trade. but after dark they
all scatter and bring back what plumber
may be found. A score or more of rob-
berries are traced directly to them. in
GLIDING everything from watches In the
window of a jewelry store to apples and
fruit from the "Dago" stands. Horse
blankets with which to line the den were
taken from stores and livery stables.
matches and candles were stolen to light
the dark retreat, and food of all kinds
has mysteriously found its way under
the unused theatre.
Not content with ordinary robberies,
the police say, members of the gang re-
sorted to purse snatching. Several days
ago lady had her purse snatched from
her belt by a negro boy who was lying
on the sidewalk. One of the gang, Is
said to have stolen the purse and the
money was divided, the pocket book
torn to pieces to hide traces,
Three of the Boys Caught.
Three of the boys were caught. Lee
Sneed, charged with being a party to
the purse snatching and also one Of the
two who stole three watches from Rich's
jewelry store on Twentieth street last
night. George Wynn, charged with steal
ing the pocket book containing SO and
doing numerous other "jobs which have
netted the boys many dollars.
Lutte Daniels is the other. He confess
ed last night to more robberies than he
has fingers and toes. Potatoes from Nor
ris avenue merchants. fruit from num-
berless "Dago" stands and anything else
he wanted. He says he will steal again.
He is brother of one of the most famous
negro thieves Birmingham ever held.
Baby Daniels.
Lutte is the Judas Of the gang. He
betrayed the others last night because
he received only cents out of the pock-
etbook. He tells pitiful tale about what
Is to happen to him when he gets home.
He says his father will tie him up in
sack hang him up the chimney and
smoke him out for stealing. After being
well dried In that manner hickory stick
is utilized for getting the rest Of the mis-
chief out of him.
Police Raid the Den.
The den of the negroes is under the
Audit orium 1t Is a long way back, and
when raided last night by Policemen
Culpepper, Patton and Mckinney they
were forced to crawl on hands and knees
They recovered several blankets and say
there are hundreds of match ends and
partially burned candles under the thea
ire. How the place escaped being burned
down is mystery to them. They brought
out a box Of matches.
The leader Of the gang is Is years old
and 1t Is claimed he is the one who pried
open a portion Of the glass from Rich's
store last night and took the watches
His name is not known and he Is as hard
to find as four-leaf clover.
The gang was not at home last night
when the call was made by the police.