Norwich bulletin., 1917-10-20
STOLE TEN TONS
 FROM COAL BARGE Jabex w. Cole and John s. Jackson Are Held by the New London Pe-
 lice,

!. One of the most daring rohberies ever committed by river pirates is charged by the police 70 Jabez w. Cole of New London and John s. Jack son, who resides in hOuseboat in Shaw's Cove, who, with the assistance of the two barge captains are alleged to have stolen approximately ten tons of bituminous coal. Wednesday night from a barge which was at anchor in New London harbor. The men might have gotten away with the stuff if their plans had not been frustrated by Patrolman Nelson Smith.
 Cole claims that he bought the coal from asman whose name he refused a ton for 1t. He went out to the barge shortly after o'clock in a power boat, and with the assista nee of the other man helped to place IL to the wharf in Howard street. The task of transferring the coal from the barges to the wharf was completed about o'clock Thursday morning,
 About o'olock Cole engaged the services of Isadore Ahelofsky, a ped dler, who lives in Bank street, to cart the bags of coal from the wharf to the coal bins of the New Method laundry in Trumbull street. The ped 1ler was to receive s1 a ton for his troubles.
 Persons who became suspicious of the actions of Cole and Jackson. not1- fled the police early Thursday morn ing that a large quantity of coal fin bags was piled up on the wharf and that there was evidently something wrong. Captain Haven detailed Pa- trolinan Nelson Smith to investigate When the policeman arrived at the wharf he found the coal as has been stated. hut there was no one on the wharf at the time guarding the stuff so the policeman placed himself in a position where he could not be easily
 ,1,1 1,sR but at the same time had perfect view of the entire space. He did not have to walt ione however. for Cole soon appeared. When the policeman lad identified him by his actions as one of the men involved in the coal deal, he took him into custody. Shortly following Coles arrest, Jackson was apprehended by the same policeman.
 Continuing his investigation Patrol man Smith discovered Abelofsky en- route to the New Method laundry with a load, and following him to Trum- bull street the policeman interviewed the manager of the laundry regarding lis receiving coal which is alleged to harbor. The manager denied all knowl- edge of what was going on. saying that he had not ordered any coal, and the first he knew that coal was being placed in hts bins was when the po- liceman told him.
 Leaving the laundry office Patrol man Smith picked up Abelofsky as he was about to leave the wharf with an- other load and had him drive to the police station When questioned the neddler stated that Cole had bought 30 burlap bae/ from him Wednesday. and at the same time had made the bar gain for delivering the coal to the New Method laundry
 Prosecuting Attorney Cronin was called into the case, but his investi- gation. in so far as he was able to ro. did not disclose any more inform atiop into the facts of the case than had been procured by the policeman.
 Both Cole and Jackson are locked mp at police headquarters in New London bending a further investiea- ton by Prosecuting Attorney Cronin.