Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-12-28
BURGLARS FEAST
AND PLAY PIANO
AFTER Big HAULS
Rob Ten Homes in Adjoin-
ing Blocks at Oak Lane in
Absence of Families.
Police Mysti6ed.

Ten robberies of homes In adjoining rows
in Oak Lane perpetrated within one hour
while the householders were away were
reported to the police OF the Oak Lane
station, at York roa6 and Champlost
street, today. So far not trace of bur-
glars has been found.
Cash, jewelry cut glass and watches
were obtained by the thieves at each of
the houses visited, The intruders worked
systematically and special policemen who
investigated today said the burglars ap-
parently were experts.
A plano was played at one house while
the burglars looted a bureau drawer TO
get at valuables The music drowned the
noise of the jimmies being used on the
bureau and neighbors in the adjoining
house heard nothing to arouse their Bus-
picions.
At another home, evidently the first WIS.,
tied. the burglars raided the pantry, ate
good meal, winding up with cake and
eggnog. and then opened several boxes
of candy and cigars and took samples
from each.
The victims of the burglars and the
extent of their losses follow: Mrs. Joseph
B, Pollack 451s North Camac street, SITS;
Rupert Mills 45l7 North Camac street.
$50; William Smith, 4519 North Camac
street, $40; Mrs. Thomas Gormley, 4534
North Camac street. SIS; Henry Cramp,
4515 North 18th street, $l5, and DIR. f. w,
Faltenmayer, 1873 York road, where they
got nothing.
r,ot AFr9 I
Oming avenue, Sl5; A. Schanbacher, 1888
Wyoming avenue, 500; William S. Moore,
1901 Wyoming avenue, $50; II. Kleinman,
sos Northeast Boulevard, nothing.
The thieves got into the Levy home by
stepping through secOnd-story window
of the Schanbacher home TO porch roof.
They were seen by Miss Anna Clark, 1903
Wyoming avenue. She telephoned for the
police, but the burglars worked with such
dispatch that when bluecoats arrived the
houses had been ransacked.
The police worked all night on the case,
seeking to round up some OF the burglars.
but In vain Efforts to get details of the
robberies from the police today were fu-
tile Every EFFORT was made by the police
TO keep the crimes secret
At the Kleinman home the thieves were
frightened Off, Mr. and Mrs Klelnman re-
turning while they were at work in an
upper floor They escaped by "A rear win
dow. One policeman covers most of the
district in which the robberies occurred,
his beat embracing an area OF one and
half square miles.
Residents of the section today are plan
ming to. prepare petition for more po-
lice, Those whose homes escaped last
night are laying in firearms and strength
ening doors and windows with extra bolts
Some are installing burglar alarms. Mrs
Levy is under the care OF a physician as
a result OF the shock of finding that her
home had been robbed.
The houses on North Camac and 18th
streets are new, the section having been
opened up since October. There are no
street lights OF any kind and occupants
OF the new homes have been objecting
because OF this lack OF light. Concerted
action viii now be taken TO have street
lights put in.
The police believe the rObberies were
perpetrated by an organized gang. Resi-
dents OF each house visited were away at
the time, most OF them attending church
services. 1t Is thought the burglars kept
a close watch all day until dark, mark
ing the house vacated. Entrance to most
OF the homes was gained by jimmylng
rear windows, but after robbing the Mills
home the burglars stepped over the porch
rain ana forced a front window to get
into the Smith home at 45ls North Camac
street