The New York herald., 1920-01-22
FIND 100000 LOOT
IN PRISONERS HOME
Detectives Trick Reveals
George Forst, Alleged Petty
Thief, as "Prince."
RECEIVERS FURS AND GEMS
Silverware Stolen from Mrs. Robert
j. Collier Included in
the List.

The abilit. of Detective Joe Skeliy, OF
station. to say one thing when he meant
another and to inspire trust and con-
fidence in the breast Of one who had
mighty good reason to be suspicious of his
own shadow, yesterday lifted George
Forst. alias Charles Forster. OF No GIL
Kelly street, the Bronx, from the level OF
an alleged petty thief to the rank Of
prince Of Second Story Men, and the
recovery of loot valued at $1,000.
Awaiting their owners at Police Head.
quarters are an assortment of articles
ranging from gold hatpn to a $4,000 fur
coat. with gold encrusted Chinese dagger
and handful Of unset precious stones in
between.
Forst or Foster is the man who was ar
rested on the roof of apartment house
In East Seventy-ninth street. near Mad
ison avenue. last Monday night and who
escaped by wrapping his overcoat about
the heads of the two detectives who had
captured him and then led score Of po-
licemen and detectives wild chase over
the roofs of buildings The police believe
they have in Forst the man who has been
accountable for scores Of daring robberies
at the dinner hour in the last few months
and expect an influx OF wealthy residents
of the Forties. Fifties and Sixties at
Headqua rters to claim the goods recov-
ered
Refused to Tell Identity.
Since the arrest Forst has refused all
information concerning himself. He said
he lived at Mills Hotel No .. and when
the police disproved this he quietly smiled
and said nothing. The police had little on
him.
vIa oty;t n1,o q
ing him with suspicious Of having tried to
force an entry into an apartment house.
That is the only charge they could make
against him-that and the fact that he was
on the roof Of house at nine o'clock at
night during a snow storm.
He was arragned yesterday in the York
vile Police Court and with the moment Of
his arraignment the cunning plot Of Skelly
to law him by the heels began to unfold.
He was held in $500 bail pending further
hearing. Skely had had several conversa-
tions with him. and each time he expressed
his sympathy and made little of the charge
against the prisoner.
II fixed II with the Judge to let you out
on BAIL" he told Forst. Now I have a
good pal who will go on your bond. but
you have to come clean with me. Tell
me where you live so can have it entered
on the bail bond
Forst, the resourceful and daring night
prowler "fell'' for the detectives offer.
He readily gave the Kelly street address.
Skelly left Ito get his friend" but his true
mission was to hotfoot his way to the
Bronx address.
Find $4,000 Fur Coat.
Accompanied by Detective James Smith.
Detective Sergeant Mcmahon and Detec-
tives Grossmann and Sammis they went
uptown. 1t developed that Forst had
furnished room in the rear Of basement
apartment at that address. They imme-
diately began search and within ten
seconds Skelly had uncovered a beautiful
fur coat which has been appraised at
$1,000.
There were six suitcases filled with
stolen articles and a large trunk which
disgorged all sorts OF valuable articles.
Every nook and Granny OF the room gave
up its treasure trove as the detectives con-
tinucd their search.
Among the first articles to be recognized
were pieces OF silverware and jewclry to
from the home of Mrs. Robert j. Collier,
No 927 Park avenue. several weeks ago.
Jewels and silverware valued at $4,000.
which were stolen from the apartment or
Mrs Catherine Ncarying. No. 103 East
Seventy-ninth street, and jewels valued
at $4,000. taken from the apartment OF
Mrs Elizabeth Courtney. of the same
address, were also recognized
sixteen watches in Loot.
There remains, however. awaiting
claimants. n fur piece valued at 1900. the
SO 900 coat. half dozen cigarette cases
a unique watch. which Is only one-quarter
Of an inch square: sixteen other watches.
six wedding rings. a number OF dinner
rings, six expensive beaded bags and a
gold sheriff's badge. There is also large
qua rtity of table silver.
Then. to round out the assortment. is
large quantity OF wearing apparel OF the
very best silk. Silk stockings and other
articles of womens apparel in large guam
titles were found.
The police expressed the opinion that
the cache uncovered represents the ef-
forts OF several months persistent thievery
and that the thief was about ready TO
make a big cleanup by disposing Of the
loot in bulk to some out Of town fence"