Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1911-04-03
MAN ROBBED AND
FLUNG into CANAL
IDENTIFIES TWO
One of the Accused Is a Con.
stable With Queer
Record.

With the arrest and arraignment of
Thomas Curran, 26 years old, of IS
Canal street, and Peter Lance, a con-
stable, of the anne address. Captain
Ryan, of the First Precinct, believes
he has In custody the leaders of an
alleged gang of hold-up men who dur
Ing the past several months have
caused the police no end of trouble.
On Saturday night Patrolmen
O'Crowley and Weber saved from
drowning James Wilmoth. who alleged
he was held up and robbed of sss by
Curran. The hold-up, as explained in
the First Precinct Police Court today,
was one of the most daring ever per-
petrated in this city.
Wiimoth explained that he arrived In
this city from Philadelphia on Satur-
day and was looking about for a board
ing house. He came down along the
canal when he was accosted by Curran.
Curran, he alleged, asked him how
much money he had and Wilmoth re-
pliea that he had enough to see him
through a couple of days. Both went
to a saloon and then proceeded to look
for a boarding house.
Curran, 1t is averred. led Wilmoth
down South Can't street. when. with a
quick turn, he forced Wilmoth to the
ground. Wilmoth, who is q alrge man,
weighing nearly 200 pounds, 'battled
with his man when, he says, he was
struck on the head from the rear.
He was dazed for a few moments,
u regained his senses as he felt him
self thrown into the canal. He
screamed for help and Patrolmen
O'Crowley and Weber came to his as
sistanoe. The man was dragged out OF
the water and sent to the station house,
where. after a few moments. he was
able to relate what had happened. His
clothing was torn and his trousers
pocket. where he had the money, was
cut open.
Identifies Both Men.
Curran denied thHt he had ever seen
Wil1otA, but he was positively iden1i-
fed from among ten other men. Lance,
who is a constable, also denied that he
had ever seer the man, but Judge
Hahn, on account of the positive iden-
%tification, held him in $500 bail for the
grand jury. Curran vas held in $4,000.
1t is alleged by the police that the
gang has been responsible for two SIM
liar hold-ups in the same section. Sew
eral months ago another man was
pulled out of the canal after he had
been robbed of a considerable sum OF
money.
At the beginning of the winter the
police were compelled to pull from the
canal a man who had become frozen In
the ice near one of the banks. On ac-
count of poor identi1cations Captain
Ryan was compelled to give up he
cases.
Captain Ryan stated today that he
was positive that he now had the real
leaders of the gang. They have ter
rorized the neighborhood and caused
the many complaints which the police
have received
Lance would enter a saloon" the
captain said, land display his badge,
at the same time pulling his revolver
and cause fear to all who might be in
the place"
1t has also necessitated the captain
to have special details there on a Sat-
urday night when some of the resi-
dents come home with their weekly
earnings. Wilmoth. who is a stranger,
was held in 5000 bail as a material wit
ness. Piainclothesmen King and Smith.
Who have investigated the ~"hold-up."
have In their possession information
that will prove the existence Of the
gang" and assist in clearing up the
other "~hold-ups."