The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1908-12-11
WOMEN CAPTURE
FIREMAN Thief"
AND FUNNEL HIM
Lenahan Glad When Police
man ReScueS Him From
Enraged Captors.
KEPT LIST OF VICTIMS.
Caught Through One of Them
He Admits Many TheftS
In Harlem.
KEPT LIST OF VICTIMS.

irving j. Lenahan, who has won the
title OF the fireman thief" on the upper
east side. was captured to-day by a
small mob Of raging women, who were
only prevented by Policeman Cunning
ham from scratching out his eyes and
tearing off his clothes.
According to his confession, Lenahan
is the young man who has been con-
Quoting a remarkable campaign Of rob-
berry on the cross streets between one
Hundred and Tenth and one Hundred
and Second streets, and his method is
similar to that employed by the bogus
gas inspectors and census takers. He
has what is known as buff" fireman S
shield, one OF the kind used by helpers
around an engine house. and this he
flashes at the woman whose fiat he has
selected.
Mrs. Becky Levy, who lives at No. los
East One Hundred and Fourth street.
caused his capture, and she explained
his way of working.
He came to my place." she said
came to inspect the fire-escape. He
gave me all kinds of instructions about
not putting flower pots or anything else
on 1t, and while l was poking my head
out of the window he sneaked my
purse
Trail Him on Street.
Mrs. Levy's purse disappeared three
days ago. This morning. walking along
East one Hundred and Fourth street,
she spied Lenahan, and followed As
she went she gathered up her neigh
bors, nearly every one claiming to be
victim.
That's the fireman thief" whispered
Mrs. Levy, lets follow and catch him
the next place he goes in"
So Lenahan. unconscious that ne was
being trailed by a Iast-growing crowd
OF angry women. strolled along and
went into No 23S West One Hundred
and Fourth street. He didn't stop until
he was on the top floor the women tip
toeiDg after him. He raped on Mrs.
Eosenberg's door. and when she opened
II showed his badge
I'm a fireman inspector" he began
when he was rudely interrupted.
Yes, you are,' cried Mrs. Becky
Levy al the top of the stairs. Wen
inspect you" And she led her amazon
ian cohorts 10 the charge.
They fell upon the covering Lenahan
and bore him into the astonished Mrs.
scratching and kicking him while he
begged for mercy. Every woman wanted
10 get blow at him.
Soon the apartment was in an uproar
and Policeman Cunningham came to the
fight. He found Lenahan's coat nearly
torn off, his collar gone and his shirt
in strips. He rescued the young mar
by the women, threatening all sorts o.
vengeance.
Kept Complete List.
When Lenahan was searched two
watches. gold chain, loCket. three
rings and Sh5S We're found in his pock
Yes, I'm the man" he said Pm :
clerk and I've been out OF work for
long time"
The women crowded around him il
the station and each asked him aoou
the things he had stolen from her
With The greatest GOODNESS he produce,
notebook in which he had neatly cata
logued the houses he has robbed
Yes he SAID to enc, II was in Won
place on the 9th. | pawned the warGl
"No. didn't ge, ten dollars from
you" 10 another. II was in your place
all right, but YOU didn't have ten dol
lars"
He was arralgned in the Harlem Pc
have about fifty complaints agaIas