New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-19
THIEVES TAKE $4,000
NAN ASLEEP LOSES CASH.
Harlem apartment InUaded at
Night by Craftsmen.

To steal and escape with $4,000 in good
American greenbacks is feat that should earn
for the operator the title Of expert" among the
cracksren Of Manhattan. That Is exactly what
was accomplished by thieves just two weeks ago
tonight, and the robbers are still at large in
spite Of the efforts OF the police 20 them 10
earth.
The story of the robbery, which is startling in
some OF its details. has lust come 10 light, al
though every effort has been made. up 10 this
time to keep it a secret until the thieves were
caught. It reveals a carefully laid plot, and a
desperate chance taken bv the cracksmen to OBJ
tain the money The man robbed was Alfred
Bangs. a young man Well known in this city.
His apartments in the Gresham Court a
fashionable apartment house. at the northwest
corner OF Lenox-ave and One-hundred-and-
fortieth-st, we're entered on. the night Of April
2, and the money was taken from the pocket of
his waistcOat in bedroom on the second floor
in which he and his wife were sleeping.
Mr.. Bangs has been well nigh crazed at his
loss He has offered reward of $1,000. it is
said, for information that viii lead TO the ar
rest and conviction OF the robbers and detec-
tves have been at work the case without
cew being obtained. They say It is one of the
cleverest bits OF apartment house burglary that
have been done in recent years.
MONEY WON SUDDENLY.
How Mr.. Bangs came into the possession of
the amount Of money stolen from him is more
or less Of a mystery, which viii be explained
later. Albert Bangs is said TO be a nephew OF
henry J. Bangs. who some five years ago re-
tired from the proprietOrship of a saloon on
the east side of Broadway, between Twenty
ninth and Thirtieth sts. Young Bangs's uncle
started him in the saloon business in the place
afterwa-d by Charles White and later by
James J. Corbett. in Broadway, between Thir-
ty-third and Thrty-fourth SITS. Bangs was un-
able 20 make a success Of the business lie
was then made a partner in the silk business
OF his father-in-law. Mr.. Haengstler, CT the
f-rn Of Haengstler & Huber. Suddenly he gave
that up, and went West TO better his condition,
as he said, leaving his wife here with her
parents
HGngs had been away only short time when
ne wrote TO his wife from Hot Springs. Ark.
That he had made a lot Of money, and told her
20 come out there at once and meet him. She
old 50. and later they came East together.
Bangs was nervous about carrying large
amount OF money with him, and he took the
precaution place it in the pocket inside his
'siEtooat. where he pinned it with safety pin
Tor better security. He had shown some $4,000
10 his wife when she arrived, but he would not
ssA her, * is said, where or how he obtained
tach large amount in the short time he had
been absent
an The sleeping car one night the way back
10 New-Tork the colored porter drew back the
curtains OF Mr.. Bangss berth. Finding him
awake. he excused himself by saying he had
made mistake. IL is now thought that the
porter knew OF the money and was on the point
" fobb.ns Mr.. Bangs at that time.
Bangs told MS wife that he could not put the
money in bank. because he wanted to invest it
q onoe in business IN New-Tork Upon their
arrival here a lease was taken OF the apart
lnents at Lenox-ave. and one-hundred-and-
iorteth-st. Some friends OF theirs. a Mrs Hear
ana her daughter. live on tie floor above and
lAsy were told OF Mr.. Baags's good fortune
4. sA TIC night or the ROBBERY Mr and Mrs
-ei-es and their iitjle daughter went 10 bed
1i-t The bedroom is reached from the Darlor
q a oooT. he greater part OF which Is OF glass
- coor shuts hard and creaks so that 4:
s1eIsfed impossible for a. person 10 enter the
oolh tTliGout arOusing the inmates. This door
- closed and Locked. with The key on the
lle, and z chain WIS fastened 10 Il also
DOE tdr. Bangs and his wife were restless that
-eS.shL Mr. Bangs counted his money. took 500
-. -" &c sol and put Il under mis- pillow. and
ssEs s 80 70 his wife. Then he pinned the rest
et e1v.tss, with the safety pin 20 his waist
- snd laid Il 2 chair near The bed on
- 9i The Nststcrat lie laid his coat, then his
10. ssfs and finally his shirt. After midnight.
b., legs arose for a few minutes 20 make
.ef Atue daughter more comfortable. Soon after
a. band shook her and said: Did you see
Hlst Hash of nzhtaing?'
-, NotHeTase replied Mrs. Bangs. Go 10 sleep;
sSa were DREAMING"
:, ref some fine neither was able 10 sleep aTrs
et1'ss vas The first 20 arise IN the morning
- quickly woke her husband, for the room was
- .n disorder. The glass door was open. All
tss S.Ssnes had been taken into the paricr, and
'"e money was gone