New Britain herald., 1918-01-04

EPIDEMIC OF THEFT
 CASES TRIED TODAY
Business Man May Be Implicated
 In Sugar Theft

An epidemic of thefts was aired i'll police court this morning when three men were arraigned before Judge John H. Kirkham on three different counts. Two were charged with thefts from the freight house and the third was charged with thefts from the Landers, Frary & Clark factory. One man admitted the theft of 100 pounds of sugar, but denied other charges, and his case was continued. Another denied the theft of patent medicine, a head of cheese and a case of matches and he was found guilty and fined The third was found guilty of stealing several forks from the cut lery works, and he, too, was fined.
 Sensational Sugar Theft.
 The case against Benjamin Sander son, charged with the theft of 100 pounds of sugar, 1t is reported, may yet develop into a sensational case, inasmuch as it is said that a promi- nent Main street business man may be implicated. Sanderson, who has been out of town for several days. was ar rested last night. He was charged with the theft of 100 pounds of sugar valued at $10, one rocking chair valued at $275, and and a pair of rubber boots valued at s5. Put to plea, he said he would admit the theft of the sugar, but absolutely denied the theft of the other articles. He is be- ing defended by Judge William F. Mangan, and the case has been con- tinued until Monday morning in bonds of $250, furnished by Morris Cohn. Sanderson's employers speak well of him and say he has always been a hard and conscientious worker.
 Theft of Cutlery.
 Carmelli Casconi, of 293 Church street, was found guilty of stealing several forks from Landers, F>rary S Clark's, chiefly on the positive, though none too convincing testimony of R. c. Clapp, a young man, who ex- plained to the court that he was en- ployed at the factory as superinten- dent. Clapp said that he had occa- sion to visit a certain part of the fac tory yesterday afternoon and saw Cas- conf, who was supposed to be clean ing out water cooler, craftily wrap ping up some articles in paper. He investigated, he said, and found that the man had several forks. Clapp de- clared that Casconi had no business to be handling the forks at all The accused denied the theft and said that in moving the water cooler he found a small parcel wrapped in paper. It contained the forks and he was just opening it up to appease his natural curiosity when Clapp arrived. The forks were unfinished and would he of no particular value in any house hold Detective A. c. Malone, who in vestigated the case, searched Casconis S house carefully and said that he found no stolen articles. He did not even find the usual amour of tableware, and said that the kitchen equipment consisted of only one old case knife.
 It is reported that the cutlery is be- ing made the victim of numerous petty thefts and an effort is being made to stamp it out by making an example of any people caught. Cas- conf was the first victim, apparently.
 Another Railroader Arrested.
 Charles Donaldson, another railroad man employed at the freight house, was fined $7 and costs for theft. He was found guilty of the theft of d bottle of blood purifier, a head of cheese and a case of matches. He said he found the cheese on the depot plat form steps and the other articles he found hidden in a locker at the freight house.
 David Abraham, charged with breach of the peace at his boarding house on Maple street, was fined $7 and costs