Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-01-13
BLACKMAM SUSPECT,
IN GANG WITH WOMEN,
MAY FACE TRIAL HERE
Robert A. Tourbillion, Arrested
IN New York, Alleged to Head
Clique Using Slave Law
as Lever
D. S. OFFICERS ON JOB

Robert A. Tourblllon, arrested in New
York city charged with participation in
a scheme TO use the Mann white slave
act for the extortion Of money. is said
by Federal authorities here to have
worked his game" extensively in and
about this city, and TO have swindled
many prominent Pennsyivanians out OF
large sums. Federal Agent Garbarino.
who has been on the trail OF the man for
months. today said. he would ASK that
he be brought here for trial
One woman in Western Pennsylvania
Il said Fto have been swindled out of
$4,000 by Tourbilllon and members or
gang. which, according to Garbarino, he
heads. The man is also known as Don
Collins and Thomas Watson, Garbarino
said today upon his return from New
York city, where he aided in the arrest
OF Tourbillon.
It is said by the police here that Tour
billion often worked about the fashion,
able hotels In this city in n search for
persons who looked as II they might
make easy victims for his scheme
LIVED LIKE MILLIONAIRE.
oarbarino described the man as n sort
OF DIR. Jekyll and Mr.. Hyde, who assumed
any bearing necessary to the character
he happened to be assuming He lived
like a millionaire. Garbarino said, and
was. frequently aftiredyin the most stylish
cldthes wearing at times a silk hat, cut
AWAY coat aud other garments that make
for sartorial, excellence. ,Wlfeh necessary
Il is alleged. he did not hesitate to don
the dress OF a workman.
Although 1t was said today that no
residents Of this city were swindled out
OF money, persons living in the sur
rounding district5 fell victim, to the man
accused of the swlndle.
Garbarino asserts that the gang printed
fake United States warrants and used
g1t f.NH axt hNs
frightening persons, They represented
themselves ,as, United states marshais, he
said, but were 'aiwuys- willing to be
"bribed" usually for sums of from $1,000
to $4,000.
After accepting the "brlbe" and agree
ing to drop the Federal prosecution, they
turned up later and tried to. get more
money from their victims by threatening
to arrest them again Tourblllion is said
10 have some times served the warrants
himself 10 D.. -
According TO Garbarino. Tourbilion was
arrested IN New York state in 1908 on
charge of lmpersonating an officer. He
also. It Is isaid here, was charged in New
York city with systematically robbing
telephone money boxes. 90
iwoMEN. IN SCHEME.
The Federal Authorities say that women
as well as men, were In TourbIlion's gang.
and that they. too, would be arrested
Wntn IOupn...r several are peleVeu 10 DE
hiding I'm this city.
Tourbilhop maintained a fine home.
Garbarino said. in Garden city. l.. |. He
had several servants. and kept a limou-
sine. He was arrested in the Garden
City Inn and said he was a travelling
salesman. His name was given there at
Don Collins. .,.... .r.r ,.
The Federal authorities here and In
New York city are on the trail of mem
bers OF the gang Tourbillion is said to
leau, and arrests are -expected at any
and blackmail was used throughout the
New York, Philadelphia and other big |
cities as the scene of their operations. |
The amount OF money they have cleaned |
from their victims. according to the esti- |
mates OF members OF the Federal Depart |
ment of Justice. amounts to a quarter of |
a million dollars, ta--....-'
Tourbillion. who is an Australian. was |
aided In carrying out his scheme. Mr.. |
Garbarino said. by his splendid appear
ance. The Federal agent described him |
rs tall. well-built fellow. about 3S
years old. and usually regarded as a !
man.
II brought to this city. he will be
charged with impersonation of United
States officer and with exto-tiop. One |
OF the difficulties in prosecuting the man,
II Is believed. will be the fact that his
alleged victims, being persons of promi-
nence. will be willing to take their losses |
in order that they may |
keep out of the limelight.