The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-03-01
POLICE SEARCHING
FOR TWO MEN IN
lEWELRY ROBBERY
Ben S. PoISkee, Beaten by
YiddiSh Bandits, Recovering
at HOSptsaI-Reward Of
$1,000 Offered.

Detectives were searching Monday for
TWO men who sIugged Ben s. Polskee,
leweler 20S South Main stret, about
S;s0 saturday night, and then fled with
diamonds which Polskee claims were
valued at 10000. Twenty one gems
dow by the men, They also rifled the
cash register taking $3.50 in cash, and
checks aggregating 5000.
The police have narrowed the chase
to two points Of Identification. They
are certain the robbers were Of He
brew extraction, and addicted to the
morphine habit.
Poislsee had q narrow escape from
death at the hands OF, the robbers, A
pistUlt trained on him by the taller
man, snapped twice on cartridges which
failed to explode. THE jeweer then
grappled with his assailant, when the
second rpbbsf cstme to the assistance
severely over the head with black
Jacks, inflicting wounds which sent him
to the General hospital
Bloodhounds picked UP the trail of
the pair Saturday night, but lost IL
at Main street and vance avenue AL
people on the sidewalk in front of the
Polskee store, no one attempted to stop
them
The first robber entered Rolskee' $
store and asked to look at watch. His
companion remained, near the door.
When the jeweler produced the watch
the first man summoned the second.
Covers Jeweler.
AS Polskee started around the slIaW-
case, the first robber showed him back.
produced a pistol and ordered the .lew-
eler to put up his hands, AS PolskSss
obeyed the second Tnbber reachHd
across the showcase and hit him on
the head with u blackjack.
Polskee grappled with the first rob@
Der, who had pressed his. pistol asainst
lhe jewelers. head. PplslSee seized the
pistol and caused tile robber % drep
the pistol which lateF Wfta lsgiisd by
Show efihea nt5%s IN va fYt'.sd1'
When the first man dropped his pistol
he also produced a blackjack and added
to the tattoo being played on Poiskees
skull
The trio struggled and fought, Pol
see endeavoring to get into the middle
aisle Of the store, in the hope that
persons outside might be attracted by
the struggle and summon aid, The rob.
bers fought to get the jeweler behind
the showcases Polskee, fighting.
smashed two Showcases, in the hope
that the noise would attract attention.
But superior numbers and weapons told,
and the robbers forced the jeweler to
the floor and dragged him behind the
showcase.
The first robber stood guard, while
the second rifled the cash register, then
proceeded to the front window which
he cleaned effectively Of II diamonds,
ranging in volue from $3.50 to Sl,500.
During the struggle the robbers ire
Guently used Yiddish words and express
sions which Polskee could understand.
When the window was cleaned the
robbers fled across Main street to the
allev between Beale and Linden ave-
nues, thence west toward the river.
Bloodhounds. owned by Police Chief
Bmney, and accompanied by Frank
White and "Cooney" Brown, dog men,
and detectives. followed the robbers
trail to Front street. south to Vance,
east to Main, and there lost it, The
police believe the robbers had car
waiting at this spot.
Polskee, who is 43, lives at 1865 Over
ton Park avenue, He left the hospital
at noon Monday He has posted a re-
ward of $1,000 for the recovery of the
Polskee was alone in the store at
the time he was attacked. A clerk
had left a few minutes before the at
tack to go to n butcher shop. He re-
turned a short time after the robbers
fed.
Four suspects, arrested Sunday by
detectives. proved to be waterhauls,
so far as the robbery of the Polskee
store was concerned. The suspects
were able to present alibis as to their
Whereabouts at the time OF the robbery.
So Detective Chief Gwaltney ordered
them docketed on charges Of vagrancy
instead.