Perth Amboy evening news., 1912-10-31
YOUNG ROBBERS USE
MEN IN CLAY BANK
AS PISTOL TARGETS
-Four Of Rand OF
foy RureIars
Are CAUGHT.
CONFESS DEEDS

In the arrest of four boys yester-
day the police believe they have the
leaders and the most active members
OF gang OF young robbers and
gangsters. Although the majority
not over eleven years of age and one
SO small that detective sergeant
was ashamed to bring him to police
headquarters. the boys robbed stores,
planned other large robberies and
holdups and, just for fun, went gun
ming after men employed in clay
banks near Maurer and other work
men near the New Jersey Reforma-
tory at Railway.
The boys admit robbing the Perth
Amboy Hardware Company's store at
166 Smith street, said they tried to
enter Ludwig VOLTS furniture store
In Smith street, tried to enter Aaron
Kaufman's iewelry store at 344 State
rect and had they not been inter-
cepted would have attempted to rob
a shoe and clothing store on the east
erly side of State street, between
Centre and Commerce streets, last
night.
Those arrested we're Steve Tala-
rum, eleven years old; John Zetlock,
eleven years old. Henry Bilensky,
ten years old, all of the old Rosett
tenement house at 1872 William
street, and John Richie. of DeKalb
avenue. The latter was so small
and young that the police sent him
home. The others are locked up and
are almost constantly divulging in
formation concerning the operations
of themselves and other members Of
the gang. The police have much
convicting evidence, but have de-
ferred arraignment In an effort to
learn everything concerning opera
tfons of the gang and to catch other
members. probably numbering four.
Henry Bilensky seems to be the
leader, according to police investiga-
tions. He is declared to be a very
bad boy and is repeatedly mixed up
in street fights. It was while en-
gagged In one OF them that his arrest
was caused shortly before o'clock
yesterday afternoon. In melee
with two other boys his coat was
raised and the butt of a revolver be-
came exposed.
John C. Plat, former guard at
the New Jersey Reformatory, who
happened to be near, took charge of
the lad and turned him over to Pa
trolman Tonnesen. Talarum and
Zetlock were arrested by Detective
Sergeants- Hun and Long at public
school No, after they had proudly
displayed revolvers and cartridges to
a number of school chums. They
were locked up at 2:30 o'clock and
later gave much valuable informa-
tion to the detectives.
The most startling thing told was
that the three boys locked up, with
three OF four other armed with re-
volvers and cartridges stolen from
the Perth Amboy hardware store,
had sat on the edge Of clay mine
and fired down at workmen to suit
their pleasures. They found It anus
Ing to fire revolvers and particularly
to pick out human bodies as game.
Fortunately no one was injured. but
young Bilens'ly came very near
shooting Steve Talarum in the ear.
The former foolishly pointed the re-
volver at his chum's head and fred
Talarum's ear became slightly pow
der-marked and he heard the bullet
whizz by, but he was not otherwise
injured.
After having amused themselves
by trying to shoot clay miners In the
vicinity of Maurer, Tuesday, the boys
walked In the direction of Railway
and took shots at things that struck
their fancy. They shot at moving
trains. wagons and the like. Near
Railway they tried their aim at hit
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