Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-01-21

The use of the pOcketlcSS over
coat, or the cape coat, which makes an
entire cover for the hands, is an old
dodge, which nevertheless is still pop
ular with the pickpocket. He often
prefers, however, to use a novel inVen-
ton known as the sash method. The
sash consists Of piece OF black SILK or
alpaca two yards long and threequar-
ters wide. It is folded the same as
neck scarf and crossed centrally be-
meath the coat and vest, both ends be-
ing brought under the arms and plac-
ed in the hip pockets Of trousers.
When ready for action the tool" as
the man is called who actually picks
the pocket, places his hands behind
the folds Of this device, and it enables
him to conceal his purpose as he
fronts" a man to rob him Of his watch
or money if the latter is in his trousers
pocket.
A tool" however, has other means
of covering his hands without resort
ing to the aid of coat or sash. A news
paper or theatre programme is often
used. Beware Of looking over stran-
gers shoulder to glance at a newspaper
or programme-a little action we are
often guilty of when it is only necessi-
tates q turn of the head. You may be
risking nothing, but, on the other
hand, you may be seated or standing
by the side of professional pickpock-
ct, who has only to hold the paper at
a certain angle while you are engross-
ed in some item to cover his move
ments as he relieves you Of your val
uables.
The black silk handkerchief and hat
are employed in the same manner as
the paper, only the former is some
times used in the "sling method" to
carry a supposedly crippled arm. The
manner in which that arm would rest
against your face, as if raised to avoid
some one striking it, while the other
hand took your scarfpin and watch
would excite compassion from the vic
tim himself.
The pickpockets most dastardly
trick-but one, be it noted, which Is
only used by the man who is too clum-
sy to perform that sleight of hand up
on which the clever thief prides him
self-is that of binding the victim with
pepper blown through pipe. The bowl
of the latter is filled with false bot
tom and second tube, the cavity below
the false bottom being filled with cay
enne pepper, while tobacco is placed
above it. Approaching a gentleman In
an ill lighted street, the thief asks for
a light for his pipe, and while the vic
tim feels for his matches he is sudden
ly blinded by discharge Of cayenne
pepper, which the scoundrel blows
through the hole in the bottom Of the
pipe into his eyes. Maddened with the
terrible pain, the victim presses his
hands to his eyes, and the robber
snatches his watch and chain and de-
camps, to repeat his exploit on some
other unsuspecting pedestrian.
1t is not very often, however, that
the pickpocket works alone, although
women who belong to the light finger
ed fraternity-and who, by the way,
are often more successful than men
usually prefer to do so. Men thieves
like to work in "mobs," for the simple
reason that they can transfer the"boo-
die" from one to the other in n crowd.
Consequently if recognized by a de-
tective and arrested on suspicion there
is nothing in their possession on which
they can be convicted.
Besides, confederates-or "stalls," as
they are called in the vernacular Of the
"profession"-are necessary to do that
little bit of hustling which makes the
"tools" task so much easier and less
ems the risk of detection.
Many are doubtless aware that tram
termini in busy thoroughfares are
places where the pickpocket is always
looking for plunder, and mob" Of
four will often work together in such
a crowd A prosperous looking victim
is selected, and as he attempts TO
board the car the four quickly sur
round him, with the artist behind.
The confederate in front uses every
subterfuge to block the progress of
the victim until the coup has been
brought off, and while the men on
each side hem him in and distract his
attention with their hustling, the man
behind helps himself from his pock-
cts. 1t is a trick which rarely fails
with cool, expert thieves, although
amateurs at the game are often
caught through lack of nerve and
quickness.
The stall or confederate will not
allow any one who has been chosen
for a victim to change his position
until a peculiar cluck tells him the
trick has been accomplished or un-
less there has been an alarm from an
outside source. When more than one
stall" is used the other men devote
part of their attention to watching
any of the passengers who may be in
clned to suspect mischief, and with
their boot toe in close proximity to
that of the tool they can convey a
danger signal without fear of attract
ing the least attention. When such a
signal reaches the tool" he will de-
sist in his attempt at plunder, and,
though he has never turned his head
to see who prevented larceny, he will
completely lull the suspicious of the
same individual by his manner there
after.
Generally speaking, the profits Of
pickpocketing are not worth the risk