The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-25
HOTEL JEWEL ROBBER CAUGHT
so COPS SAY-AT NETHERLAND
WITH 80 SKELETON KEYS.
CaImus was watched Several Days-Then
Police Took q Chance and Arrested
Him on his AppeAranee-say He Owns
10 %, 600 theft at Manhattan Square.

Puliee TOok q Chance and Arrested
Him on his Appearanee-say He Owns
10 -, 600 Theft AZ Manhattan Square.
| sleek young man was locked up at
Police Headquarters last night, and in him
the police believe they have the sneak
thief who has stolen thousands Of dollars
worth Of jewels from hotels in this city
during the last six months. The prisoner
gave the name OF John Calmus and his age
as u years. He was arrested in the Hotel
Netherland.
He registered at the Netherland two
days ago as ]. T. Standing OF Chicago.
He went there with a valise and was assigned
to a room on the sixth floor. John Con-
way, the detective, had been warned TO look
out for . young man answering his des-
soription. The minute Conway got his
! eyes on Calmus he suspected that he might
be the sneak for whom every policeman
and hotel detective was searching. Con-
way watched the young chap closely, but
didn't see him do anything In the least
suspicious.
Conway began 10 think yesterday that
the man might suspect he was being watched
and was purposcly keeping out OF harm.
The more Conway thought Of this the more
he believed 1t to DO true, and last night he
asked Police Headquarters for advice.
Central ONCE Detectives Kelly and
Tierney were sent 10 the Neither Rand 70
look over the suspicious guest. Conway
pointed the young man out TO them and
all three sleuths agreed he answered the
description Of the thief vino was wanted.
They took a chance on him. anyway, and
placed him under arrest
At first the young man was inclined TO
show anger, but the detectives bluffed
him and then. they say. he weakened,
They knew they had him right when they
searched him In the hotel, for the search
brought forth bunch Of thirty skeleton
keys.
Il guess there amt much use Of squealing
now said the man when the keys were
pulled from his pockets.
Little time was lost in getting the prisoner
70 Police Headquarters. There he was
positively identified as a young man who
had registered at the Manhattan Square
Hotel at 50 West Seventy eventh street
over a month ago. When he left that hotel
Mrs. Kochersberger, one Of the guests,
discovered that she had lost about g., 900
worth Of jewelTy.
He had registered there under the name
Of ]. P. Standing and had a room on the
same floor with the woman who was robbed.
The jewels were taken while the owner was
out Of her room. Calmus, or whatever
his name IL, admitted this robbery last
night. the police say. Mrs. Kochersberger
was entered on the blotter as the COM
plainant against him.
How many other hotels have you robbedi'
Sergt. MAngin- asked the prisoner. I'VE
have lot chalked up against you
ooh, there are some others Mangin
says was the young mans answer.
He told the names Of some Of them,
Sergt. Mangin added, but the sergeant
wouldn't make them known last night.
Many Of the hotels where robberies have
occurred are known. On March II there
was a robbery at the Hotel Elan ders, and
81, 800 worth OF jewels were stolen from
the room Of Mrs. Tenney, one Of the guests.
Other hotels where robberies have oc-
CURED recently are the 81. Andrews, Gal
latin and New Amsterda m. There may
have been others, but the robbeTies were
not made public.
Calmus stopped for a time at the Gilsey
House He told the police that no left
there suddenly leaving two handbags after
him. In mo st Of the hotels he stopped he
left bags after him. In each robbery, the
police say, he would wait for his intended
victim to leave her room and then enter
with pass key. Only jewelry was stolen.
Calmus is a pale faced looking chap, who
has the appearance Of a dope fend. The
only address be would give was 1929 Spring
Garden street, Philadelphia. The local
police do not know him.
The name under which he registered at
the Gilsey House was Charles Anderson
His address he gave as Chicago. Deteo-
tives went TO the Gilsey House late last
night and got the bags which he had left
there.