New Britain herald., 1919-12-12
EXPRESSMEN FINED FOR CLOTHING THEFT
Said to Have Removed Articles
 From Station ..

Five young men. employees of the local branch of the American Railway Express company, were arrested yes terday by Federal Agent c. M. Collins, assisted by Detective Sergeant Theo- dore Johnson and A. J. Richardson, charged with having stolen clothing valued at about $50. They were fined at the police court session this morn ing by JudgesaJa mes T. Meskill. The men arrested were Henry koplowitz, foreman, who was fined $1Q, Patsy Mazza $50, Cornelius Fisk S2O, Joseph Kolodi $10, and John Witzkopski $1O. Costs were added to all fined.
 Foreman Admits Thefts.
 Henry kOplOWitz, foreman of the four arrested for stealing articles from the company, admitted he knew articles were being removed from the cars, but did not report the thefts to the local superintendent KoplOwitz, who was charged with having stolen a nickel-plated fiatiron valued at $5, asserted he had taken the fatiron home only 10 polish it, and had no intention of stealing it. He stated, he had on other occasions taken articles home and repaired them.
 Many Shortages Noticed.
 Arrests of the men resulted from an investigation made by Federal Agent c. M. Collins and Detective Ser geant Theodore Johnson. Complaints had been received of shortages in shipments sent through the local of- flee. Numerous articles have been 1 stolen since the first of December it ! was said. The first arrest made was 1 that of Mezza, who was apprehended hu toll 1 had been made at Mazza's home and I stolen goods recovered. Later in the ] day, when it became known that Fed i eral Agent Collins and Detective John- son were on the trail of the thieves, some of the missing articles were re- l placed while much of the clothing was 1 put away. John Witzkokski who was said to have stolen a pair of 1 trousers, on the stand this morning | said his, 'conscience" bothered him since he stole the trousers, but he did l not have the courage to replace them.
 Stole Mostly Clothing.
 According to the testim ony unfold 1 ed by several of the employees, the articles stolen were mostly overcoats, trousers, neckties and shirts. Mazza. | on the stand, stated he did not steaI 1 previously and had only taken one i overcoat valued at S25 It was found 1 he also had in his possession a pair l of trousers, however, valued at S5 [ Cornelius zisk pleaded not guilty, but l after he consulted Judge William F 1 Mangan, his attorney, he admitted taking two pairs of socks. one pair ol gloves, four neckties and one shirt valued at $1520. Fisk has been en- ployed at the Adams Express office fol 1 nearly a. year.
 Mangan Pleads for Thieves.
 { Judge William F. Mangan, who ap. peared for the accused, in summing up the. case asked that Kop1owitz be discharged, as he had no intention ol stealing the fatiron. He also asked for 1eniency in the case of Cornelius
 Fisk and Joseph Kolod. Both O.
 these young men, he stated, were res
 idents of the city for many years ant
 have never been arrested on such {
 charge before. In the case of MaZzs
 he asked for leniency as Mazza wa!
 living with his parents and had tt ' help support four small children
 Prosecutor George W. Klett- assert
 ed he believed that the accused should
 be given fines as they had no righ
 to take home any property of th'
 American Railway Express company
 He stated during the past severa
 months there has been reported mis sing at this office several valuable l rugs, 8 victrola and clothing.
 Put on Probation.
 John Piesowiczki, who was arrestet yesterday on order Of Charity In
 vestigator F. A, Murphy for non sup
 port. was turned over i1 custody O Probation Officer E. c, Connolly