Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-10-11
STATE FAIR VISITORS
FALL VICTIMS TO DIPS
North Carolina Man Robbed of Purse
While Boarding Street
Car.
). W. ROWE LOSES SUM OF $50
Despite Warnings, Police Say Public
Is Careless, Which Is Reason Pick
pockets Can Operate Successfully.
Thief Steals TaC-Day Buttons.

Although the public has been con-
stantly warned by the police to watch
out for pickpockets operating in Rich
mond during Fair Week, their work
continues almost unhindered. The
police point out that the travelling
public fails TO keep strict guard
upon valuablcs, especially on cars and
other places of congestion. and that in
such cases II is mex; to Impossible Tor
the police 20 apprehend the offenders.
Because OF this the pickpockets find
it pretty easy sailing. 1t seems that
there is an organized squad of pro-
fessional pickpockets working in Rich
mond, and that they make a specially
OF exercising their dcft fingers upon
visitors they get off and on the
Fair Grounds trains. Last week Chiet
of Police Werner issued detailed in
structions to the public on how 10 as
sist the police in detecting and arrest
ing these professional sleiGht-of hand
artists.
He suggested that when person
feels a hand in his pocket he should
grab on to the hand and call for help.
Moreover, people should be careful OF
strangers who offer them assistance.
The only way to cope with this evil
that Is characteristic of every fair or
attraction where there is much con-
Eestion and confusion is for the people
to preserve a policy of careful watch
fulness in their attempt 10 cooperate
with the police, who are striving their
utmost and taking every measure to
nab the dips"
NORTH CAROLINA VISITOR
IS VICTIM OF CROOKS
W. r. Finch. of Macon. n. c.. an
elderly man. was one of the first to
Of iclS ,o-c
terda< Mr.. Finch met ut the
Main Street Station by his son, W. G
Finch, OF oo5 Bancroft Avenue, High
land Park. Mr.. Finch handed his suit
case to his son, who went ahead Of
him In order that they NIGH; better
board a street car. AS Mr.. Finch was
about to step up n large. heavyset
stranger offered his assistance. AS he
got on the car Mr.. Finch felt the
stranger put his hand in his pocket and
take out a pouch containing about Sl1
in currency.
1t seems that the pickpocket should
have been caught for Mr.. Finch set
up hue and cry for the man, who ran
through the crowded car, jumped off
and made his way into an alley near
by. To the police it seems strange
that no one on the car grabbed the
crook. W. G. Finch was in front of
the car and did not know of the trouble
until the pickpocket had made good
his escape.
J. W. Rowe complained to the police
that some one had picked his pocket
OF purse containing about $50 in
currency. Mr. Rowe says that the
money was stolen while boarding a car
outside the Fair Grounds.
Mrs Robert Blankcnship, OF $40 Ea It
Franklin Street. chairman of tho tag
day committee for the Home for Needy
Confederate Women. reported that some
one entered her hallway and stole an
express package containing 81 1000 but
tons and a silver tray. The value of
the whole package was $50. When
the thief finds OUT the contents Of the
package the police think that I, will
be dumped In some alley. Any one
finding the package is asked TO COM
municate with Mrs. Biankcnship.