Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1913-11-25
New York Youth Arrested Yes
terday Found to be innocent
and is Turned Over To His
Mother by the Police.
LOSS MORE THAN THOUGHT
All Three Victims of Saturday
Nights Affair Find Much
More Missing Than at First
Supposed-PoIice in Dark.

Clues concerning sneak thief rob-
berries obtained thus far have availed
the police nothing A new one was
received today, details of which will
be kept a secret until 1t has proved
failure or a success. Nathan Kurtz,
the seventeen year old boy of Third
avenue, New York city, arrested at
l o'clock Sunday morning on suspi-
cion by Patrolman Murray, has
proved to be an epileptic victim. The
police were Withholding his Identity
hoping that they might run down
the "other fellow" whom the boy
talked about and said was sneak
thief. A detailed investigation by
Detective Sergeant l.. A. Long show
ed that Kurtz had no connection
with the robberies here. He will be
claimed today by his mother.
The boy was picked up on suspi-
cion following the robbery of the
homes of Kenneth McComas, at 227
Rector street; w. Guy Weaver, at
225 Rector street, and Joseph Slobo-
dien at 212 Rector street. He was
found lounging about the Pennsylva-
mia railroad station by Murray. At
w
Gibson and that his home was in
Springfield, III. The only thing of
value found in his pockets was new
book of the Citizens Building and
Loan Association, indicating that he
had deposited some money there last
week.
Told About "Other Fellow"
When he told the police that the
Other fellow" had sent him there
| with a sum to make observations
with Intentions of probably robbing
the place, and the boy said he could
point out the house of a robbery vic
tim In High street, they believed that
they had struck the right trail.
Young Kurtz was taken out by De-
tective Sergeant John A. HUFF yester-
day afternoon. His actions indicated
that he was not in his right mind
and did not know what he was talk
ing about, but strangely enough he
pointed out house which had been
entered several months ago. The in
vestigation in New York city showed
that he was subjected to epileptic
fits and that the money which he had
deposited with the building and loan
association, was some he had taken
from home. His face bore marks
and sores from cuts, he later said,
he had received during epileptic
spells.
Detective Sergeant Long learned
from his relatives and from other re-
liable sources that he was not a
criminal, but ON the contrary was
harmless, that he travelled from
place to place. often hiding under
seats In railroad cars and frequently
was taken In charge by the police
and held until relatives called for
him. as in the present case. While
| locked up he would do anything to
gain his liberty, even to the extent
| of discriminating himself In various
, ways. The authorities believe he
would plead guilty to murder If the
charge was made against him. He is
! the son of tailor. who conducts an
establishment on Third avenue, be-
tween Fourteenth and Fifteenth
streets, New York city.
Value of the loot taken In the
three robberies Saturday night was
raised from slightly more than 800
to more than $500 today with the
announcement of additional losses in
the three places. Besides the locket,
chain and beaded necklace found
missing there at the McComas home
yesterday, the following articles were
taken: A ring containing four dia-
mond chips and three opals, ring
containing an emerald, three gold
watch chains and stick pin bearing
serpent design with pearl in the
mouth, besides some other trinkets.
In addition to the loss stated by Mr..
and Mrs. Weaver yesterday, they are
minus q dime savings bank and It's
contents of about S. in dimes.
More Loot Taken.
The amount of SIS reported stolen
from the Slobodien residence, was
but a small part of the loss there,
the loot taken from that place oeing
variously estimated at $3.50 today.
Besides the SIS taken from two saw
ings banks, as announced yesterday,
500 in cash was taken from draw
err, O. gold watch and chain, several
souvenirs and probably girls brace
let. The 500 was the proceeds of a
check cashed by John Slobodien on
Saturday. He also owned the watch
and chain, which he said probably
cost $25, but was worth more than
800 to him, because 1t was a con-
firmation present. He also lost sew
eral handsome souvenirs, which he
had recently brought from Boston.
1t will not be definitely known II
the daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. Slo-
bodien lost bracelet and other val
uables. until she returns from New
York city.