New Britain herald., 1916-03-30
PlalnVilae News DETECTIVES LAND
 FREIGHT THIEVES Gang Who Tapped Cases at Trans
 fer Station Rounded Up FIVE GET TERMS IN JAIL
Freight Handlers Broke Open Cases of Wearing Apparel-Weariny Stolen Clothing When Arrested Quintet Implicated on Suspects COnfcSSiOn-Briefs.


 resulting from numerous complaints regarding the disappearance of goods passing through the transfer station at PlainVille caused the arraignmcnt ing of five of the mon employed here as freight handlers. The quintet was brought before the court on charges of theft. Four of them were fined $23 and costs and sentenced to Jail for thirty days, the fifth member get ting off With a $1o fine and the stmc jui1 penalty.
 The arrest and conviction of the men was due to an investigation by Special Officer Charles Grace. who is acting as day watchman at the sta ton. After complaints regarding stolen clothing taken while in transit had reached here the officer worked quietly to locate the cu1prits, the re- ports filed with the office indicating that the thefts were committed at the transfer station.
 Officer Grace became suspicious of stanley Smith and when the latter quit his job few days ago he had Grahd Juror M. A. Norton issue a warrant for his arrest. Believing however, that there was more than one involved he delayed serving the warrant and had Detective Mahoney called in on the case. The sleuth got on Sm1th's trail in Hartford where the former employe was making his nome. lie discovered that while the eX-trucker was Gin his cups" he had talked freely about the haul he had made at the Plainvil1e station.
 The Hartford police arrested the suspect and turned him over to Con stable Cornelius Downing the latter bringing him to PIainville. Third degree methods employed in Smiths case had the desired results the ac- cuscd not only admitting the thcfts but giving the names of the other freight handlers associated with him in the job.
 Acting on his suggestion the police brought in Edward O'Rourke. Edwin !. Lamson, John Lynch and Fred Lewis. Smith identified them as his partners The police found them to be wearing shoes and shirts answer ing the description of those stolen from cases transferred here. The four denied being implicated
 ORourke wore a new pair of shoes when arrested, but he declared that he had purchased them at Prior's. He exhibited a receipt for the goods At the store Constable Downing was advised that the man had boueht shoes there within a few days but the ones he was wearing were a more cx- pensive pair. Confronted with this
 
 was not telling the truth. Neverthe- less he insisted on entering a plea of not guilty when brought before the court. His partners. with the excep- tion of Smith. who turned states evil dence, did likewise. The police had found the goods on them. however, and their conviction was an easy task for Prosecutor Norton
 When the mon were taken to iail today, O'Rourke's feet were protect ed by arctics only. the stolen shoes having been taken from him.
 According to Smiths story the thefts were easily accomplished The men would take case of merchant disc on their truck and when they got in into the car they would bat ter it about until it was broken open. | They would then make their selec- tions subsequently, piling other ship | ments on top of the broken case.
 The police traced goods of nominal l value which had been stolen from the l station to them. Whether any other 1 was stolen or not they l cannot tell until reports from the l dealers to whom consignmcnts were l made are heard from.
 Farewell to Minister
 Members of the Advent Christian l church rendered a farewell reception 1 last evening to Rev. and Mrs. l. IT. ! Baker at the homo of Mir. and Mrs 1 Frederick Peace on Broad street. Mr. | Baker, who at one time was pastor ! of the Advent Christian church, is 1 planning to leave town with his wife i next week
 During the evening musical selcc- ] tions were enjoyed. The guests pre- 1 sented MT. Baker with gold piece, l Rev. J. w. Denton. the present pastor i of the church, making the attending 1 address MT. Baker responded in ap- prcciation
 Rev. MT Baker, since giving up the ! pastorate here, has been devoting some of his time to evangelistic work. He spent much of his time out Of l town although he maintained his res idcnce in Plainville
 He will tender his farewell to the church Sunday morning when he will l give the sermon
 May Name Bcnzon
 According to talk on the streets to- day there is a possibility that the re- !, publicans will name Frederick l.. Ben 1 zon for chairman of the town com mittee at the caucus to be held in the Town hall this evening. c. Q. r. , leaders seemed to have little hope of . their ability to prevail upon Edwin | H. Hills tO continue to serve as head 1