New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-19
SEARCHFOR CONDUCTOR
Subpoena in Pickpocket Case
affair Is Startling, Says Magistrate.

one Of the boldest car robberies reported TO
the police in months with which conductor OF
the New York City Railway. while on duty is
suspected Of being connected. was reported to
Magistrate Breen in the West Side Court yester-
day by J. F. Quinn. an insurance broker when
three alleged pickpockets were arraigned on sus-
picion Of having robbed him and his wife.
Magistrate Breen, after listening attentvely to
Nr Ouinn's story, ordered the issuance Of a
subpoena for the appearance of the conductor
and held the alleged ptckpockets in $1,000 bail
each for examination to-day.
Mr. Quinn told Magistrate Breen that he and
his wife ana a woman friend boarded No 500
Of the Seventh avenue line Of the New York
Street Railway Company in front of the New
York Theatre a little after II o'clock. Continu-
ing, he said:
The woman who was with got on first, and
after a struggle got inside. There were only
four men on the platform besides the conductor.
and instead of making way for us the conductor
stood in front of the door. Mrs. Quinn then fol-
lowed aud was pushed and showed in the
toughest kind Of manner, losing before she got
inside the door, a lOrgnette attached to a gold
chain and valued at $50
When I attempted to follow my wife inside the
four men got around me. while the conductor
looked on, and jostled me even more roughly
than they did Mrs. Quinn. I felt a tug at my
scarf pin. and put my hand up i'm time to pre-
vent IL being torn from its catch Then, after a
really strenuous struggle, I manaSe1 to get in
side I had no sooner don, than discovered
the loss Of my wallet containing $50. II was a
matter OF a very few seconds before 1 turned
around to go out on the platform, but as l did so
the conductor, who had followed me in, stood in
front of the door, which he had closed, with his
hand the handle.
was almost speechless at first over the action
Of the conductor. Then I demanded that he let
me out He stole a hurried glance at the plat
form and then opened the door. The men had
vanished. One of the passengers, who took in
the whole affair, backed up when / accused
the conductor Of having worked in league with
the crooks. and advised me to go and report the
matter to the police at once. The car had only
reached 47th street, and decided not TO go
any further uptown. but to get off. We went to
the West Attn street station and reported the
matter
Magistrate Breen ordered a warrant drawn
for the arrest of the conductor, and then changed
It to a subpoena.
Il want to call your attention to the fact"
said Mrs. Quinn, that the light on the back
platform out--an unusual thing. il seems
to me-"
That makes it look very bad-even more seri-
ous," said Magistrate Breen "and want you
officers to find that conductor and bring him
here. There have been too many robberies on
the cars especially those running along Seventh
avenue. They have got to be stopped"
Magistrate Breen held the men in $1,000 bail
for examination to-day. They gave their names
Arthur Williams Jacob Jordan and John Col
Inns Collins is alleged to be the leader of gang
Of streetcar thieves, and is said to have record
known to the police from here to San Francisco.