The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-08-14
ROBBER
IS CAUGHT
AT WORK
Scratching Matches Gave
Him Away--Many Thefts
Arouse Police.

More robberies were reported to the
local police today. and the police de-
partment and the detective bureau
have been spurred on to increased ac-
tivity. They believe that out-of-town
crooks have come to this city to oper-
ate and are making vigorous efforts to
check their depredations.
After finding the rear door leading to
the office of the Alboum Ice Company,
as well as that of the safe open, a thief
who entered the building shortly after
4 o'clock this morning spoiled whatever
chances he had of getting away with a
bag containing $15O.32, when he
scratched several matches against the
woodwork. 1t was the latter act that
arrested the attention of Louis Alboum,
father of Samuel Alboum, the latter be-
ing at the head of the company.
Louis Alboum was leaving the stable
yard after feeding the horses, and when
he passed the Office and heard matches
being scratched he pushed open the
same door by which the intruder had
entered and inquired, who's there?"
He received no reply, but the next
minute there was a crash and the
greater part of the money, which was
in bag. and the majority of 1t silver,
dropped to the floor. Alboum struck a
match, but before it became fully ig-
nited the thief blew it out and brushed
past him. Alboum gave chase and
called on several others who were at
work in the ice plant, but the stranger
was not in sight. Policeman Bennett
nd IL
Quoted search, but no trace of the
safe robber could be had. Alboum
aroused his son and they returned to
the office, and after picking up the
money scattered over the floor found
that $1.32 was missing.
When seen later Mr.. Alboum said
that he always leaves the rear door
open, and that he forgot to lock the
safe last night.
Morris Bolinsky, of 46 South Orange
avenue, reported to the police today
that gold wedding ring and $50 in
money had been stolen from his room
within the last twenty-four hours.
Bolinsky suspects a former companion
whose name he has given to the po-
lice.
Samuel Whitman, son of Nathan Wit
man, of II Sterling street, telephoned
to Sergeant Brown at 1:15 this morn
ing that burglars had entered his
home. Policeman Rottenberg was sent
to the place and young Whitman said
that his parents. and other members
of the family were away for the sum-
mer and that he was aroused shortly
after o'clock, and that when he got
out of his bed and lit the gas he saw
two men jump from a rear window on
the first floor and, escape. He gave
description of the men to Rotten
berg, but the latter was unable to To-
cate them in the neighborhood. An
investigation was made and it was
discovered that nothing had been
taken.
A second-story worker has now
Joined the forces of crooks at work
In this city, one having appeared some
time yesterday at the home of Charles
Platter, 33 Tichenor street. Platter has
reported to Captain Carroll, of the de-
tective bureau, that he Is minus a
black suit of clothes valued at $35 as
a result Of the visit of a thief who
entered his rooms on the second floor
by means of a window.
The saloon of Louis Braunstein, at
rs Clay street, was entered early yes
terday morning and four bottles of
whisky. two bottles of gin and two
boxes of ten-cent cigars were carried
off The police of the Second Precinct
were notified last night.
John Battista, of 27 Sheffield street,
to the Second Precinct police
last night that some time during the
day his home had been entered and
that an oyercoat and a pair of gold
cuff buttons were stolen.
Hardware.