New Britain herald., 1917-11-15
BURGLARS ENTER
 P. HU17ON'S STORE
Wearing Apparel Valued at $150
 Is Stolen
NO CLUE TO THIEVES
Entrance Effected Thorugh Transonl Over Front DoOr-Plainviue Do- mates Generously to the Y. M. c. A. and K. of c. Fund.

mates Generously to the Y. M. c. A. and K. of c. Fund.
 one ot the most daring robberies in years was committed last night or in the early hours this morning when the dry goods store of P. Hutton S, Son on Whiting street was broken into. Wearing apparel valued at $50 was stolen. Although the local po- lice are making an investigation they had nothing to report this morning. The only clue to the thieves is a black suit of clothes which was found Tn the store this morning and a mack 1naW which was found just behind the store in an ash barrel Entrance was effected through a transom over the front door.
 That the store had been visited by robbers was learned this morning about o'clock shortly after Manager E. G. Jones had opened shop for the day. Noticing that hats, suits and other wearing apparel was scattered over the floor he at once began an investigation. Officer Philip Marine was notified of the robbery and went to the scene.
 The transom was still open this morning and the steel bar which held 1t in place was bent. Presumably the transom was opened by one of the thieves pushing 1t as marks of any instrument or weapon were not in evidence. Not even marks or scratches on the inner or outer sides of the door could be seen.
 That the thief was a small man is evidenced by the size of the opening fhrNNrh which Jo1 suit of clothes which were found in the store and would fit only person of small proportions lend support to this belief.
 There seems to be little doubt in the minds of authorities but what two or more persons were connected with the robbery although information in the hands of officials does not point to this fact.
 Once inside the store it was an easy matter for the thief to let his ac- complices inside and this. 1t is thought. he did by means of prying open two locks on the back door of the store. The locks were opened with a heavy pair of shears.
 It is also thought that the offenders made good their escape by automo- bile as it would have been almost dI l1npOSSlDlICy to nave caTT1eO away the stolen goods otherwise.
 One lined mackinaw, two sheepskin coats, two overcoats. a quantity of underclothes, two suits of clothes, nightshrts, hose and scarfs and a heavy sheepskin ulster are among the articles stolen in addition to three costly suit cases which were missing this morning. It is. believed that the thieveszp packed the stolen goods in tho suit cases to make transportation easier.
 One of the thieves deliberately changed his outer garments in the store leaving for reimbursement for the newer articles an old black suit of clothes, which contained half eaten bar of chocolate. The worn out suit was turned inside out in a search of some mark of identity which would determine the owners name. Not even the wholesalers trade mark remained on the garments. Evidently the thief had left no stone unturned to conceal his identity.
 Officer Marine this morning stated that he patrolled the town until long after midnight and went home in the neighborhood of 2:30. He was of the opinion that the break was made af- ter that hour.
 P. Hutton of Southington who con- ducts a business in that place of which the local store was a branch was in town this morning and helped to take inventory of the stock in or der to determine the goods stolen last night He stated that $16O would probably cover the cost of the articles missing.
 It was learned this morning that an automobile was seen about the center at a late hour last night and which is said to have contained several sus- picious looking individuals.
 Shortly after it was learned that the Hutton store had been entered rumor was circulated that the freight depot had also been broken into 1n- vestigation proved that this report was mythical.
 Last nights robbery is the first to take place in this town in several months. In fact, since Platnville storekeepers suffered an epidemic of petty thefts everything has been quiet.
 This morning officer Marine stated that he was handicapped in his work because local business men do not keep a light in thir stores at night. During the hours he is on duty he stated that he makes it a fpoint to try the doors of the different stores to see if they are open. He said that he would be unable to see a thief in the stores because of the darkness. Unless the officers suspicion was aroused a thief might after gaining entrance through the rear of any of the various stores complete his mis- sion and make good his escape in the gloom.
 Charles COrbin.
 Funeral services for Charles Corbin who died yesterday in Middlctown will be held Saturday afternoon at