The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1908-12-11
WOMEN C\PTURE
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
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
IL 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
"and showed his shield, and said he
CdHle 10 inspect the IiIe-GSCdpt. he
gave me all kinds of instructions about
not putting flower pots or anything else
on 1t, and while l was pokng 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 a
victim.
That's the fireman thief" whispered
Mrs. Levy, lets follow and catch him
the next place he goes in"
So Lenahan, unconscious that he was
being tralled by 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
toeiD! after him. He raped on Mrs.
Eosenberg's door. and when she opened
1t showed his badge.
I'm e 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 to the charge.
They fell upon the covering Lenahan
and bore him into the astonished Mrs.
Rosenperss room punmelng and
scratching and kicking him while he
begged for mercy. Every woman wanted
70 get a blow at him
Soon the apartment was in an uproar
and Policeman Cunningham came to the
fight He found Lenahans coat nearly
torn off. his collar gone and his shirt
In strips. He rescued the young man
and took him to the station, followed
by the women. threatening all sorts OF
vengeance
Kept Complete List.
When Lenahan was searched two
watches gold chain, loCket, three
rings and sh5S We're found in his peck
Yes. I'm the man." he said; I'm A
long time"
The women crowded around him in
the station and each asked MIN about
the things he had stolen from her
With he greatest GOODNESS he produced
a notebook in which he had neatly cata-
logued the houses he has robbed
Yes" he said TO enc, Il was in y1at
place on the 5th ! pawned the watch
! got there.
mo. didn't gc. ten dollars from
you" 10 another. Il was in your pla e,
all right but you didn't have ten dol-
He was arraigned in the Harlem Po-
lice Court, and the police expect to
have about nifty complaints against
him.