The San Francisco call., 1910-03-21
POLICE TO CHECK
PAWNSHOP FRAUDS
Captain Wall Promises to Break
Up Combination That Swim
dies the Unwary

Aroused ito action by The Calls ex-
posure of the swindling scheme car
ried on in conjunction with the Caesar
Atteu loan office and other pawnshops
in the city, the police have promised
to take steps today to break up the
criminal practice.
In addition to the prosecution OF
those involved it is possible that ac-
ton will be taken within the next
two days to secure the revocation of
the licenses of those pawnbrokers who
have had swindlers working on COM
mission in connection with the con-
spiracy to mace" the unsuspecting.
The widespread operations of the
swindlers are emphasized each day by
the bringing to light of additional vic
tins.
CALL SUPPLIES EVIDENCE
1T is next to impossible to save
some people from falling into the
clutches of crooks said Captain Eu-
gene r.. Wall, chief of detectives, last
night, because of thgir eagerness to
get something for nothing and the
plausible stories of the criminals.
I'VE have had information for long
time convincing us that this Aaron
Crocker. partner of Attell, was
crook, and we have made 1T uncom-
Portable for him but have never been
able to secure conviction. AtteH is
in the same category.
The facts secured and published by
The Call seem to be the first concrete
evidence against this combination, and
it is my. intention to take vigorous
action tomorrow
Detective Sergeant Dinan appeared
at the bond and warrant clerks office
yesterday with one of the victims, but
was refused a warrant pending an in
vestigation of tie law on the matter.
ARREST TO BE ATTEMPTED
IN cases of this kind. however. it
is not advisable to waste time, and
intend tomorrow to see If there is not
some means whereby we can bring
these fellows in with or without a
warrant There is not the slightest
doubt that these crimes have been
committed and something must be done
to put a stop to them
Asked concerning the refusal to is
sue a warrant for the capture of the
pawnbrokers and their gang or .op-
orators, Joseph A. Rock. first assistant
bond and warrant clerk, attached to
the district attorneys office, yesterday
expressed doubt as to the law on the
subject He admitted lndl WdfIaHlS
had been refused to victims of the
swindlers in the past. He said also
that in the present instance Attell and
the other members of the gang prob
ably would be summoned to show
cause why warrant should not be
issued for their arrest. In the mean
time the police are unable to make an
arrest.
MORE VICTIMS DISCOVERED
Among the victims of the swindlers
who made known their grievances
yesterday was Hugh L. Delaney of
1882 Point Lobos avenue, who bought a
ticket from one of the outside workers
of the Collateral loan office at 215
Third street.
Carl Names of "a Ellis street also
secured one of the tickets for very
reasonable price. and after paying the
principal of $25 and interest to the
pawnbroker received in. return three
diamond ring, valued at about $S
retail. M. Names of the Columbia
building also invested in one of the
spurious tickets.
In every instance the method pur-
sued by the swindlers was the regula-
ton story of misfortune with its at
tendant financial embarrassment.