New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-05-24
BIT Of BOARD CONNECTS
PAWNSHOP BURGLARS
Piece Found in Prisoners Bed
Matched SCaffoIding Put Up
at Simpsons Loan Office.
BOTH MEN SENTENCED
Story of Contemplated Elope-
ment, as Alibi for Prisoners
Presence in House, Fails
to Move Jury.

Pietro Lagatutto and Giuseppe Mas
serie. two Of the men arrested for plant
Ing a scaffolding outside Simpsons pawn
shop. at No. l6i Bowery. and drilling
hole through the outside wall, were con-
victed of burglary yesterday before Judge
Grain in General Sessions. Lagatutto
was sentenced to not less than two years
and six months nor more than five years
and Masserie. who had once before been
convicted as a burglar, TO four years and
six months.
There was no direct evidence against
the two. Captain Charles II. Mckinney
and his detectives found the hole in the
wall and the scaffolding in an areaway
nearby on April a. An electric drill and
some other tools were found in the out
side room to which the hole gave en-
trance II was apparent that the burg
lars intended TO return and bore into the
next room. which contained about 10000
worth of valuabes.
The apparatus which was left on the
premises and the finger prints of Mas
serie. which had been taken when he was
convicted in 1907. pointed the way.
Bit Of Board Convicts.
day or so after the attempt on the
pawnshop an unusually complete kit OF
burglars tools was found in a house in
Elizabeth street which backed up against
the pawnshop. Lagatutto was arrested
there and hidden in his bed was found
a length of board. At the trial T. Chan
non Press. an Assistant District Attor-
ney proved that the bit OF timber found
in the bed was continuous with the piece
which was used TO form the scaffolding
used by the burglars.
Inspector Faurot testified that finger
prints found on a pickaxe among the
burglars tools were those OF Massacre.
Some OF the jurors were skeptical Of the
value of finger prints as means of iden-
tiication, and at Mr.. Press's suggestion
several impressions were taken from
court attendants in Inspector Faurot's
absence He returned and picked out the
men whose finger prints had been taken.
Clothing belonging to the two men was
found in the house in Elizabeth street.
1t was sprinkled with red dust. such as
might come from the demolition of
brick wall The scaffolding and tools
were introduced in EVIDENCE and filed IL
good part of the courtroom.
Lagatutto told a story Of Il conteln-
plated elopement TO account for his pres
ence in the Elizabeth street house. where
he had hired rooms only a few days be-
fore the burglary. He was in love. he
said. with the daughter of banker and
was beloved by her.
Prisoners Abb Fails.
A stern father opposed the match. and
they resolved to elope. The prudent
bride. however. would not elope until she
knew that Lagatutto had a place to take
her. Therefore, ne hired the rooms. OF
course. a bridegroom would have no use
for a kit Of burglars tools. and If they
were in the cellar how was he TO know?
What was the name Of the young
woman you were going TO marry?' asked
Mr.. Press.
repeated. and with some effort remem-
bered that her name was Maria Felice
Her last name had slipped his recollec-
ton completely. A few minutes later he
called her Felice Maria.
Salvatore and Giuseppe Ruffino are also
under arrest for the burglary. They Will
be brought TO trial loon.