The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-03-13
RUTHERFORD IS
 MUCH WANTED
 BAGGAGE THIEF
Indentified as Fraleigh, Who Served a Year for Theft at Utica and is Wanted for
 Grand Larceny at
 Poughkeepsie. Clever Thief Stole Evidence Against Him from Capt. Arnold's Desk While He Was Under Examination.

The man arrested by Special Officer keenan Thursday for attempting to evade a railroad fare and who gave his name as George Rutherford turns out to be professional grip thief with a prison record who is wanted for thefts on the New York Central and the New Haven railroads. This morning Detective Hazelhurst and Baggage Master Joseph Salisbury of the New Haven road took a look at Rutherford at the county jail and identified him as the man wanted for stealing a suit case and contents in New London, a suit case from a train between West erly and Providence and six overcoats in Boston.
 Detective Sergt. M. Holstein of the New York Central road also identified Rutherford as one Fraleigh who was sent up from Utica. New York and served a year for the theft of a suit case on a train. Sergt. Holstein wants Rutherford or F'raleigh for the theft of a nexpress package from the express office at Poughkeepsie several weeks ago.
 Fraleigh is one of the boldest and shrewdest thieves outside of prison walls. His method of working is not unique but was carried out with un- usual cleverness. He always wore the overalls and blouse of the railroad man. When arrested he had $23 on his person. He had attempted to obtain pdSSdSS OH a tTd1n On the OI his assertion that he was a railroad man and the exhibition of a pass made out to w. H. Travis, brakeman by the New York Central road. His habit was to appear to a baggage agent on a train and offer to help in the car if he was allowed to ride. Sometimes he wore a trainman'S button to sup port his assertions. The railroad fra assistance always follows an applica- tion by a member of the order in dis tress. At some convenient station Fra leigh would disappear and with him would go suit case or valise. Some times it was an express package of value.
 The package stolen at Poughkeepsie contained several ladies suits and was valued at S150-a----s--~---
 Ffraleigh's nerve did not desert him Detective Captain Arnold. He ex- plained the possession of the brake mans pass by saying that he had taken it from the pocket of a sleep ing railroad man. He was very com municative to the captain and asked his advice. He told the captain in strict confidence that his wife, of whom he was very fond, had gone fo England and he was trying to get money enough to join her there. The pass lay on the captains desk. Some one called the captain outside and dur ing his absence, while he was under
 
 F,raleigh managed to get possession of the pass. Capt. Arnold has not seen it since. F1aleigh took it to his cell, tore it up and threw it in the waste pipe.
 The New Haven railroad detectives want him for a dozen or more thefts, and Detective Ho1stein of the New York Central is equally anxious to get hold of him, but the former have the call and it will be a long time before the New York officer expects to gath CT him in. Detective Holstein has been on the trail of Fraleigh for months. He was the first ito positive ly identify him and give his history. The arrest is considered of great inn portance lby the railroad detectives who find in it the solution of the ire quent losses of baggage reported at various points along the line. Ruther- ford or Fraleigh will be turned over to the authorities of New London for trial when his case comes up in the City court on Monday.