The San Francisco call., 1909-01-28
Edward j. Rand Commits Two
Mysterious TheftS and Is
Finally Caught
Author of Daring Raids on Nose
Gunst's Cigar Stand Is a
College Graduate
Makes Secret Passageway and
COnceaIs Himself Until Taken
by the Police

Hiding for seven days in a tunnel be-
meath the scene OF two daring burg
laries, Edward J. Rand was trapped by
Policemen T. A Kerrigan and E. T.
limbs yesterday. Rand. a graduate of
the Kentucky state university. twice
raided the cigar store Of Nose Gunst
at Geary street and Van Ness avenue.
and was finally captured after weeks
siege.
Rand confessed his guilt TO the ar
resting policemen. but later at the cen
trsl station made several denials and
conrradicted himself. He told the po-
lice that e had a confederate. and al
though first unbelieved. this statement
was given the color of truth by the
mysterious visit Of two strangers to
the vicinity Of the crime yesterday. One
OF the mysterious pair asked for Ed,
and he answered the description given
by Rand Of his confederate.
PLANS THIRD ROBBERY
Rand had carefully planned a third
robbery one week ago. but lost his
nerve when q conversation in a saloon
overhead. warned him that he was
trapped like rat in his tunnel Po-
licemen had been stationed IN the base
ment Of the saloon. blocking Rand's
avenue Of escape and resulting in his
capture yesterday morning. when his
presence was betrayed by a futile at
tempt 10 cut his way to freedom.
Kerrigan and Timbs tore the boards
from the tunnels entrance, and Rand.
weakened by seven days life in the
foul, dark and almost suffocating tun-
mel. made no resistance or attempt to
escape when he discovered two re-
Nolvers pointed at him.
The two robberies. which took place
october y and October IS, puzzled the
police. The burglar left no trace on
the first occasion, and suspicion fell on
several Of the stores clerks. The
second time it was found that a section
Of flooring had been cut out. but still
1t was not suspected that there existed
a tunnel. or a space. left by the build
ers between the ground and floor.
WATCHES THROUGH HOLES
Rand was formerly night clerk at
the Hotel Mariaet. IN his original con-
fession Rand claimed to have gained
access TO the Hotel Martinez through a
window and then through a door and
down flight Of stairs 10 the basement.
lie was compelled to squirm through
less than a foot OF space between the
top Of a door and passageway under
the saloon.
A hole about a foot square was cut
into the wall of the passageway by
Rand who thus got into the excavation
under the saloon floor. Wriggling like
2 snake he kept on under the saloon.
scrsping away the dirt where neces-
ssry.
A brick wall separates the subsaloon
excavation from the narrow space un-
der the cigar store. Rand burrowed
through the brick wall. and after get
ting under the cigar store bored a
small hole through the floor and later
another. He used a brace and bit.
Through these holes he watched the
safe being opened by the mana ger and
learned the combination. Then at night
he cut through into the store and
opened the safe. He carried with him
an electric wire and bulb, which he at
tached to existing wires, getting light
More than $500 of his loot was recov-
cred from its hiding place in the hotel
basement.
FEEDS IN SALOON KITCHEN
Rand also bored holes up through
the floor Of the saloon and thus learned
p d Of fo
had in his possession, when caught, q
drawing Of a key used to open the
money drawers Of the saloon safe.
Pinkerton detectives had been watch
ing the cigar store. but last week the
two policemen were placed in the sa-
loon cellar to await developments. II
happened that Rand had entered the
tunnel that day for third coup. but
overheard the policemen and Others
speaking in the saloon. This warned
him that he was trapped, and he stole
from his tunnel TO the saloon kitcheI
each morning after the policemen, whS
had watched all night. had left. Here
he obtained food and drink, but escaps
in the daylight was impossible A
night the policemen were present anC
Rand remained trapped until his cap
ture.
FEARED FOR THEIR LIVES
Mysterious disappearances of a revol
yer. liquor, cigars. canned fruits ans
food from the saloon resulted in tn,
police being placed on watch. Tarbo,
& TObin. the saloon proprietors, live,
ia fear Of their lives, for though the,
could see no one both said they fel
that their movements We're watched.
Rands parents, who are well to d.
country folk. live at Vanceburg. Ky
Rand worked on the Phelan buildin,
FOR time, but was discharged II
went to work as night clerk at tn
Hotel Martinez. He had lived at tn
Martinez since the earthquake. Abou
september Rand disappeared and a
the urgent request of anxious parent
in Vanceburg. J. Mackie. proprietor o
the Martinez, advertised for the missfn,
man. No trace of Rand was found unit
his capture yesterday morning.
CITY JOBS OPEN
The civil service commission an
cfn Ill