The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-06-06
Clean up a Raft of Petty
Larceny Operators in
Various Depredations.
SHOP LIFTERS TRAPPED
Clerk Concealed Under Counter De-
tects Boys Stealing Small Arti-
cles and Effects Arrest.

After a period Of unusual quiet, the
police force is now coping with a big
reaction in the business of the depart
ment, having as many as five petit lar
cency cases to contend with yesterday
al almost the same time. In every case
the man accused was foreigner from
across the state line, part OF them hail
ing from West Hamond and part from
South Chicago. The West Hammond
prisoners were the most serious of
tenders and are believed to be a gang
Of small boys who have been operating
in this city for some time.
Frank Waikiki. Joe Jenick and Alex
Potocki were the offenders who were
caught yesterday through a little coup
planned and executed by Harry Minas,
proprietor of the five and ten cent store
on State street. Ninas had suspected
the boys for some time SO when they
came into the store, yesterday on the
pretence OF buying something, he pro-
eeeded to lay the trap. After falling to
make a purchase they loitered around
for sometime waiting their chance to
make a lift
Trapped By Ruse.
Minas concealed an employee of the
across the street to await developments.
1t was not long before the boys grasped
their opportunity and helped themselves
to base balIs, pipes. ashlines and other
trinkets. With this evidence the pro-
prietor closed in and caught one of the
shop-lifters while the other two es-
capped. The police were notified. and
the young lad arrested. after which he
divulged the names of his companions,
who were soon apprehended.
Their case has been turned over to
the Superior court and has not yet been
set for trial.
Chicken Stealers Caught.
The South Chicago boys were arrested
after a long chase by VIM. Thompson
living near the Hammond company ice
houses on Sheffield avenue. Mr. Thomp-
son had been missing fowls for some
time and was successful in catching
them yesterday afternoon after chas-
ing them for several miles in his cart.
The boys resisted arrest for some time
but were forced to time, by Thompson,
who is a constable and brought to
Hammond. The boys were tried before
Judge Mcmahon this morning and each
fined $11 and costs. They gave their
names as Frank Waikiki and VIM. Woz-
erchowski. They showed as little con
Germ as hardened criminals, when ar
rested. though fully realizing the ser
iousness of their offense
Got Mad; Pulled Gun.
Another incident in the eventful day
was the shooting ARRAY in a saloon on
Holman street near the Michigan Cen
trail tracks. A man whose past life
would not probably bear very close
scrutiny became unruly and unmanag-
BILE in the saloon referred to, and when
interfered with by the proprietor pro-
ceeded to draw a revolver and assert
his authority. The farther the trouble
proceeded the angrier the man became
until it eliminated in his firing a shot
He was arrested soon afterward and
placed where his hot temper will have
ample opportunity to cool off. The
charge against the man who gives his
name as T. J. Greenwood is carrying
concealed weapons, and ne is known tc
be a bad character. He is especially
dangerous because he possesses many OF
the affable traits of "a Southern gentle
man"