The Washington times., 1902-10-27
POLICE SEEK BURGLARS
IN THE WINTER SEASON
Time of Year When House
breakers Are Busy.

Inc nOuSeDreaker and sneak are the
most numerous Of any OF the thieving
fraternity, and 1t is just at this season
OF the year we hear most from them. -
said police official yesterday. THE
majority Of the housebreakers are re-
cruited from the slums of the various
cities of the country but the successful
robber must combine superior qualifica-
tions to make him an adept at the
business. Still the sneak and second
story worker is not devoid Of ingenuity
Bolts and locks cannot be relied upon
as barrier against these crooks. The
number is surprisingly small number
OF dwelling in this city that are proof
against the assaults of the burglar and
sneak thief
THE flimsy barriers cause the bur-
glar to chuckle in his sleeve as he can
undo any of them with a few simple
instruments which can be carried in his
vest pocket. The chain bolt, which was
at one time considered formidable, fails
to keep out the marauder when once
he sets his mind on gaining an en-
traance. When massive bank vaults
offer no serious obstacle that the train
ed and experienced burglar cApnet over
come, how can it be consistently ex-
pected that ordinary contrivances should
be effectual?
Organized Craft.
"yVhile tho number NJ cafa bIoworc
has decreased wonderfully within the
past several years, on account Of the
multiplied risks and difficulties to be
encountered, the we'll organized army
of housebreakers and sneak thieves
carry on their operations with a con-
fidence born of repeated success.
"The housebreaker is daring rascal,
and it is with him the police have the
most trouble. He is man who en-
ters dwelling In the night time with
mask on his face and murder In his
heart. II he can accomplish his pur-
pose, and help himself to other persons
property without being molested, he will
keep his ire for another occasion. but
II caught In trap. he will make the
hardest kind of fight and cares not
bow many lives he takes so long as he
gets out with whole skin.
The confederates or pigeons Of the
real genuine housebreaker collect the
information as to the. plan of the
house. what rooms are occupied as
sleeping apartments. how much jewelry |
the people have, and various other |
things, from the servants or others en- |
ployed IN or about the house. After the |
has secured this informa
lion from his pigeon he practically |
las a clear road, and can almost lay |
his hand on the drawer in which the |
ewelry is kept
Professional Works Alone.
"Only the inexperienced housebreaker
ands himself with others of the same
rofession. The old rounder' prefers
o work alone. and then there are no
etrayals and no divisions OF booty.
"One of the most noted robbers that
yer visited this city operated entirely
lone. He did not need inexperienced
nen to get his information for him, but
all he wished from the morn
ng newspapers. His specially was rob-
ing newly welded couples of the we'd
ing gifts Of Jewelry, si6erware and
ricabrac He would scan the columns
T the papers and feast his eyes on the
Iarriage notices. When he was cap
1red he had the society columns Of
II of the local papers clipped and care
y,