New-York tribune., 1921-09-12
Crowds w atcll
Police Subdue
Safe Crackers
See Pair at Work Through
Broadway Window and
Block Traffic as Reserves
Arrive and Open Fire
Two Trailed Over Roofs
Detectives Kick In Windows
and Seize Men Drilling
Open Door of Strongbox

Broadway crowds homeward bound
At 2 o'clock yesterday morning were
thrilled by a spectacular attempt at
burglary and the capture of two men
wearing masks who had been trailed
bv policemen over the roofs of adjoin-
ing buildings and caught in the rear
ot the store of Truly Warner, 1883
Broadway, after they had lowered
themselves through skylight by
means Of a rope tied to chimney.
lust rs the men, visible to crowd
rathered in front of the store, were
seen to be pulling a safe containing
$4,000 into a position where they could
blow it open, Acting Lieutenant Sam
cel Dribben and members of the safe
and loft squad kicked through the
plate glass window and with drawn
revolvers commanded the burglars to
surrender. The answer was a volley
Of shots from the men, who darted
into q dark corner Of the store, but in
the excitement failed to turn off their
flashlights.
Shots fired by the police, the break
ing Of glass and the shrill whistles TOR
aid brought such a crowd to the scene
tAat traffic was temporarily suspended
Hundreds Of sightseers returning from
Chinatown visits tumbled off rubber.
neck wagons to witness a real gunman
battle on Broadway. Finally a patrol
wagon loaded with police reserves ar
Rived. the store was jammed with po-
lieemen and the burglars. each carry
ing kit of safe blowing tools, were
drsr1ed forward and roughly thrown
to the sidewalk.
Men Traiied for Hours
The men at Police Headquarters
save their names as Patrick Hanon, of
24o East 124th Street, and Harry
Brown. Of 240 East 1920 Street. Both
men, according to the police, have
criminal records. Hanon having served
ia Elmira and Brown having been ar
rested SIS q pickpocket.
lieutenant Dribben and a score Of
detectives spent several hours on the
trail Of the men before the capture was
effected. The men had been followed
to the block in which the Warner store
Is situated. There they were seen
crawling over the roofs, while detec-
tivss crawled after them OF observed
them from windows higher up.
.-t-
the burglars broke the glass, and after
chimney lowered their tool kits. Then
each climbed down sailor fashion.
From the skylight and from the store
window on Broadway the burglars
ssuld be seen working with the aid of
flashlights. Once or twice, suspecting
they were being watched, one Of the
men displayed a revolver.
Meantime the detectives, anticipating
fesistence, sent in call for reserves.
By this time spectators on the side
walk, peering through the window, saw
the burglars draw the safe into a con-
venient place for operation, watched
them calmly take off an outer door and
by the aid Of flashlights drill holes pre-
paratory to blowing it open. 1t was
then the police smashed their way in.
Pistol Battle Waged
Two or three detectives went through
the window. Shots were fired by both
burglars and detectives, but finally the
former were overpowered and hand
cufed.
Guests at nearby hotels, aroused by
the shooting, hurried to the street to see
the spectacle. The arrival Of the patrol
wagon brought the show to an end.
The burglar kits carried by the pris-
saers were of the latest type. One Of
the jimmiss, weighing twenty-five
pounds, was collapsible, having three
sections
Brown gave his occupation as cleo
trician. Hanon said ne was a salesman.