Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-06-09
Professional dip" at Work
Picks Pockets With Rare Ski11

The assembling of the Knights of Co.
iumbus in Washington has proven re-
nEarkabie. from police point of view,
for the absence of the great hordes of
pickpockets that usually descend upon
city on an occasion that attracts thou
sands of visitors The crooks of this coun-
try have doubtless formed quite a re-
spectacle opinion of the ability of Maj
Sylvester's band of sleuths. Perhaps that
is the reason that the light fingered gen
try passed up such gala pickings
Among the immense throngs in the city
there is hardly a doubt but that the
police We're compelled to escort many
protesting members of the profession to
Union station and others to headquarters,
but this is an entirely different matter
from a wholesale invasion of the deft-
fingered gentlemen.
The pickpocket or dip" as he is called
by his brother professionals and the
police, is looked down upon as "a mean
sort of cuss' by the safecracker. the
second-story man, the con" man, and in
fact by every other crook in a different
line in the criminal world. The dip
stands alone. Outside of his particular
line, he has no friends or companions in
the underworld. He is regarded as being
ever willing to 'snitch" give informa-
ton to the police, and for this reason
he is never trusted. Even among them
selves there is always a sort of an arm
ed truce. and while they usually work in
pairs they never trust each other eX-
cept when absolutely necessary
The dip is a great newspaper reader,
and. in fact, it is from this source to a
great extent that he obtains his news of
any important celebration in any city
Distance is of no Importance to him. He
Will travel 5000 miles to attend d con-
vention that will last only two days
But in those two days he expects to
make a haul that will pay him well for
his efforts. He is always supplied with
money, and dresses like well-to-do bust
ness man. Unlike the con man, he
seldom, if ever. he tries to make an ac-
simultaneously with his victims. Suoh
an act may mean future indentitica-
ton and so the dips strongest protec-
ton lies in keeping in the background.
The first thing to be done upon the ar
rival of the pickpocket in the city con-
Sists of looking over the field of endeaVors
Newspapers and programs of the coming
celebration are read and the dips pick
out that feature of the coming celeDra-
ton that is likely to draw the greatest
crowd. The field of operation being Sc
lected. the next thing is to agree upon
a system of work. This, of course, 10
great extent depends upon circumstances.
but as far as possible the dip mas
every move planned beforehand, even
his retreat in case of discovery.
The street cars furnish a rich field for
the dip" They are usually crowded
with sightseers on the way to view some
particular feature of the celebration. and
here Is where the dip gets in his good
work" First the victims are selected.
The pickpocket displays good judgment IN
this respect. for the hauls are often large
ones One OF the crooks will wait until
a favorab BILE opportunity and then lunge
violently against the victim. who Will be
sent Keeling back against the other stand
ing passengers. DuSing the confusion the
other worker has been busy and by the
time the first crook is apologiZing the
victims pocketbook has been deftly eX-
tIactcd.
The third mans duties. if there is a
third man in the party. is to take the
spoils and make a getaway in case OF
discovery. In this way the evidence is al
most instantly eliminated.
The same system is worked on the rear
platform of the car among the smokers
Usually it is too dangerous to work more
than one or two deals on the same car
and the crooks get off as soon as they
| make one haul, for. as a general thing
the dip is the most cowardly OF all
crooks.
Arriving at the scene of the celebration
the professional dips mingle quietly
with the crowds. making haul here and
| there until they have reaped a rich har-
vest. Then they return TO their hotel
and the proceeds of the evenings work
are divided. If caught ..red-handed,' the
dip" will do everything in his power to
buy off the policeman who captures him
This failing. he will secure the services OF
a lawyer and through him attempt to
buy off the victim. Frequently he is sue
cessful in this. for the victim, anxious to
| avoid any police notoriety. is only toe
glad to get his money hack. with some
times little more added to 1t for good
measure. and thus escape delay and pub
licity. This Is one OF the greatest draw
backs with which the police have to con-
tend. The victim gets out of town, the
case falls fiat for lack of evidence and
dangerous crook is turned loose to prey
on other commun' ties