The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1914-10-13
GIRL ACCUSED
OF SWINDLINC
SEVERAL BANKS
Cashing Worthless Checks Reg
ular Habit With Helen Con-
nors, Police Allege
SWELL HOTELS SAID TO
BE HER VICTIMS, TOO
Paroled After Minor 0ffenses
Here, Began Operating on
Bolder Scale

A fashionable career In Detroits
ffirst-class hotels, interspersed with
numerous financial transactions with
branch banks throughout the city,
came TO an end Monday morning.
when Helen Gonnors, 90 years old. q
well-gowned blonde. was arrested on
the charge or having violated her
parole. Burns detectives, who say
they have been searching for the wo-
man for more than two months. told
the Detroit police that she had de-
ifrauded banks In Detroit OF $500 by
passing worthless checks. They al
lege she Is also wanted In Chicago,
ding banks.
Miss Connors first appeared In De-
troit about six weeks ago. when she
registered in the Hotel Pontchartrain.
The name Ola prominent Detroit bust
ness man was linked with hers soon
after she came here. She was almost
struck by street car on Woodward
ave-, and appeared on the verge Of
fainting, when the business man es-
corted her to. safety. She told him
she lived In the Pontchartrain and he
tool her there. leaving his card. Soon
after. the Connors woman purchased
an expensive hat, charging II to the
man who had helped her After her
bill In the Pontchartrain had risen to
$S5. she was arrested. and was
paroled. This case, az well as the
trouble arising over the purchase Of
the hats was suppressed by the police.
According to the police. the woman
succeeded in swindling banks solely
through ner self-assurance and daring.
Her scheme was to enter a branch
bank, and present q check made out
to her. the check usually bearing the
signature OF local business man.
When the clerk would ask for identi
fcation, sthe woman would appear
shocked and surprised.
you've casheds checks for me be-
FORE" was her reply.
This trick usually worked success
fully.
On one occasion. II is said. she en-
tered the Warren-ave, branch OF the
Michigan Savings bank. and presented
a check for $40. The bank clerk re-
fused TO cash Ii, demanding another
Endorsement. Miss sConnors crossed
the street 10 the drug store conducted
by r. G.. Mitter, at No. 1867 Warren
ave. west. She asked Mitter tom
dorse the check. -
Il don't know you." said the drug
gist-
"oh. don't you remember me- ask.
ed Miss Connors You cashed : q
check for me q few days ago.
Mr.. Mitter attached his ,signature. to
the paper and must now make good
the $40 paid by the bank.
Miss Connors Is alleged TO have
passed worthless checks at the fol-
lowing branch banks: Grandy-ave.
branch. Detroit Savings bank; Ker.
chevalave. branch, Peoples State
bank; Jefferson-ave. branch, Ameri-
can State bank; Northwestern branch,
Dime Savings bank: Woodward-ave.
branch. Dime Savings bank: Grand
River-aye. branch. Detroit Savings
bank.
Miss Connors is also said to have
been in difficulties with the fuller ho-
tel. She says she is a stenographer
and has been living at No. Syca-
Justice Carney, Monday morning.
revoked the parole OF Miss Connors,
and set Oct. 20 as the date for SEN
fencing her. Bank clerks who had
taken worthless checks were called
Into Justice Gainey's Office to identify
the woman. Although she stoutly de-
MED she had passed the checks, two
Of the clerks remembered her.