New-York tribune., 1920-12-08
Robbers Sell
Protection as
A Side Graft
Failure Of Merchants to Buy
Tickets for Show or 'Ath-
letic Event Always Fol-
lowed by Quick Burglary
Gangs Work Undist'lrbed
Thefts Disclosed I'M Dav
Make 100000: One Firm.
RefusingTributc, a Victim

The disclosure Of dozen more rob
berries yesterday, amounting to $50, 1000,
offered fresh evidence that burglary
has been reduced from a game of
chance to systematic business.
1t was apparent that the men en-
gagged in it are equipped to move things
in bulk, and at their leisure, from the
most central locations. In connection
with the recent robberics of shops and
stores near Thirtyfourth Street and
Broadway the proprietors told q story
indicating that some burglars have
been selling tickets for shows as q side
line.
For some time young men have been
visiting shops in this district and ask
ing the proprietors to buy tickets for
entertainments given by their "athletic
club" in the Bronx. The visitors usu-
ally dropped a hint that if the firm
bought tickets they would see that the
shop was protected"
Burglar Protection Ignored
Two weeks ago Boris Liss, of Sher-
man Brothers. at Ii West Thirty-fourth
Street, told one such caller that the
firm was cutting down expenses and
would rather not buy any more tickets.
The caller departed sullenly.
On last Thursday night burglars
''jimmied" the door to Sherman
Brothers loft and carried arrnful after
armful of fine embroidered dresses to
q truck waiting in front of the build
ing. They took about seventy-five
pieces, valued at $4,000. The burglars
then attached an electric drill to the
wiring in the loft and drilled a hole
through the floor.
Using a bolt Of goods as a rope they
lowered themselves to the floor below
and collected more dresses and cloaks,
valued at $4,000, from the lott of Max
Maltz. They took along all Of his
samples for the spring trade.
After that the burglars drove their
truck to 40 West Thirty-fourth Street,
forced an office door, cut their way
into the room Of the Extra Size Shirt
waist Company and carried out cloth
it plight, probably because the truck
wasfull. AS proof that all three Jobs
haye been done by one group they left
behind some tools, which to judge BIZ
the markings had been used in each
place.
Skilled Thieves Wear Gloves
From the clothing people it was
learned that the absence Of finger prints
had convinced the detectives that the
burglars wore gloves. The detectives
of the West Thirty-hrst Street station.
who were on the case, refused TO talk
Mr.. Maltz, one OF the clothing men
robbed, said it looked as if there must
be an organized business under way in
stolen clothing, through well shielded
"fences." At any rate, clothing manu-
facturers have been popular victims.
Furs worth $500 were stolen last
week from William Jackman e. Sons. at
35 West Thirty-seventh Street, by men
who drove off in their delivery wagon
while the driver was making e dcliv-
cry. They abandoned the wagon.
Burglars broke into the front door
Of Herman J. Goldman's shop at 1917
Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, and while the
bulglar alarm rang steadily and a
nefghbor looked on, too frightened to
say+anything, they carried out furs
valrsd at $4,000, and drove off in an
aufen obile.
While the looting Of lofts has occu-
pied one group Of burglars, others, in
cluding a woman, have INDUCED in
hold-ups. Two men showed pistols into
the face Of Spiredon Damentis yester-
day at 4:30 a. m. while he was drink
ing coffee alone in his restaurant at
~ ~ SoC w -ScNOHQ street. lneV
backed him into the kitchen and there
shot Fred Kepos, a cook, in the leg bee
cause ne called for help. They took
500 from the cash register and. with
their lookout, who was a woman, es-
eaped IN an automobile
Negroes Join Crime Carnival
seven young negroes, wearing black
m sks, lined ten customers and seven
y, IL
shop Of Koffsar E. Mofsovitz, at l9 East
137th Street, on Saturday night, and
pr oce eded to do thorough job. First
they, beat Rabbi Buchalter, who kills
chlsSens, because ne did not know the
COMP snation TO the safe Harry Mofso-
Vzssa clerk, told them the safe was
open and he was beaten for not saying
20 before. The negroes got $3.50 from
tne safe, s40o from a shoe of one Of
ahe7' victims and few watches and
sZoo from the clerks and customers.