The Washington herald., 1907-06-25

ever worked IN an American CITY oef-
eral robberies, including the opening of
a safe by the combination and the pick
ing Of the pocket of a bank runner, were
reported 20 the police yesterday. In addi-
ton, a hold-up during the afternoon was
also reported TO the detectives
The police believe that the Culprits are
stopping of here only temporarily on
their way TO and from the jamestown
Exposition. Several robberies similar 10
that accomplished on the Washington
bank runner yesterday are reported from
Baltimore Yesterday mornings Balti-
more papers gave considerable publicity
10 the work Of several systematic pick
pocket cases. and it is possible the thieves
were scared out Of that city and came on
10 washington.
On a New York avenue car yesterday
professional pickp0ckets worked the
rush" act on Roscoe c. Bangs. a bank
clerk and extracted from his pocket
wallet containing bills amounting TO
SI052. a receipt from the United States
Treasury for mutilated money for S2l33
checks made out for something like 500,
and other valuable notes and papers.
Bangs n YOung Man.
Bangs IS not yet nineteen years OF.
His home IS at I7GS Willard street NJ n
west. Fred Bailey. the boy who is the
regular runner for the concern, was not
on duty yesterday and Bangs assumed
his duties. Shortly after noon he started
around town, attending the usual duties
and making the regular collections for
the bank. Among the places visited by
Bangs was the United States Treasury,
the Metropolitan Bank in Fifteenth
street. and several other institutions.
Bangs rode a bicycle in covering his ter
rit0Ty, and when he made collections
placed them IN a large leather wallet.
which he carried in the inside pocket Of
his coat
When Bangs visited the Metropolitan
Bank he left his bicycle standing against
the curb.ng. He transacted his business
within the space OF q few minutes time
and added several hundred dollars TO his
accumUlauons When ne came out he
found his wheel missing. He thought lit
lie OF the matter. except 70 wonder who
had taken IT, and believed some one had
played practical joke on him.
boards a Car.
He then decided 10 catch a car on the
New York avenue line. going east He
took his seat in the car at Fifteenth
street During the short trip he noticed
that several men, all of them Well
dressed. boarded the car and remained
close TO him With the arrival Of the
passengers at Seventh street. Bangs made
an effort TO reach the street in a hurry.
His way was blocked however. by a large
man who pretended to be protecting a
woman. the usual game. and in the mean
while he was surrounded by the other
men, who pretended that they were in
hurry 10 leave the car.
At this juncture. it is assumed that the
rush was brought into play. Bangs
stood on the platform, and his attention
was drawn TO the big fellow in front
who purposely angered the young man.
f. IS believed. so as 10 attract his atten-
ton. At the same time. four or FIVE other
men, evidently the companions Of the big
man. elbowed the bank runner right and
laft and pushed him from side to side.
in this manner, the police believe, the
pickpo-sets got in their work.
Finds Money Missing.
Several seconds later. Bangs reached
the pavement. and after taking a few
steps. reached for his wallet. in his coat
which was butroned To the boys as
tonishment. it was gone. He glanced
around fer the men who had sat near
him, but only one was in sight. Bangs
BY the arm and told him Of his mlsfor-
tune.
Il would like TO search y0u Just to
satisfy myself that you are not the man,
Bangs told the stranger.
Certainly" replied the man. and to-
gether the pair went into Hahns shoe
store. where. in the presence Of a clerk,
Bangs felt through the mans pockets,
without finding the money. The man then
went on his way and Bangs did not learn
his name. He is described as being Of
small build. was smooth shaveu, with
saIlow complexion.
Bangs then informed his employers Of
his loss. and later went TO the Office Of
Inspector Boardman. where he told the
detectives his troubles. Detectives Horn
and Barbee were detailed on the case.
Bangs looked over the pictures of the
professional criminals Of the country at
police headquarters last night, but was
unable 20 identify any as having been
among the men who were on the car at
the time the robbery was brought about.
That the theft was we'll planned. and
that tie movements OF the victim had
been figured ont by the pickpockets, is
evidenced by the fact that the runners
bicycle was taken, so as TO compel him
to.Tide on O. street car. giving the cOnfed-
crates q chance 90 accomplish their pur-
pose.
Collector Sandbagged.
Mysterious in more ways than one is
the case Of George c. Eiker, 2l29 K street
a collector for Westcott & Wilcox, real
estate agents. who reported 10 Capt
DOYLE. Of the Eighth precinct, yesterday
that he had been saud-bagged during the
afternoon in a vacant house at 1905 s
street. and the sum Of Sis belonging to
the firm. taken from his pockets. Eiker
had Sc and a watch on his person. which
he did not loose.
Policeman L. ". Hall was patrolling
his beat less than q block away when
Eiker approached and informed him of
the robbery Eiker's story is TO the ef-
feet that he entered the house, which is
for rent. by Westcott G. Wilcox, and that
j1st as he opened a door leading to the
basement ne was struck on the back of
the head by sand.bag. and knocked 10
the floor.
He was evidently confused when telling
the police of his experience. one story
was 10 the effect that Eiker saw the
robber, and after being robbed chased
the man through the back door and out
into the ellcyW0y.
Unable to Tell Color.
Last night he was unable to tell whether
the man was white or black.
After reporting the matter to the po-