The New York herald., 1921-01-27
MOTOR CAR THEFT
RING UNCOVERED
in GRAFT INQUIRY
Whitman Gets Evidence of
Gang Operating Under
Eyes of Police.
ONE Is EX-GANGSTER
Leaders Raise Defence Fund
and Engage Lawyers,
1t Is Reported.
REWARDS INVESTIGATED
Many Automobiles Recovered
Without Police Aid by See
ing Right Person.
INVESTIGATED

Evidence that a powerful automobile
thief ring with headquarters in this
city has been operating more or less
openly for the last three years under
the eyes of the police is in the hands
of ex-Gov. Charles s. Whitman. who
is conducting Grand Jury investiga-
ton of alleged graft in the Police De-
partment.
The ramifications OF this we'll or
ganized force of robbers and their ac-
completes reach to other cities outside
this State, where it is reported thou
sands of cars stolen in New York have
been disposed of through connections
of the gang here.
Among the many names in the pos
session of Mr.. Whitman are two men,
one an ex-gangster and the other a
man who is being sought by detectives.
One Of these men was acquitted some
months ago on a charge of stealing
automobiles.
For several years the ex-gangster has
been travelling the straight and narrow
path" and has often been known to come
to the rescue of many of his old pals
when they have been in trouble with the
authorities. He has the reputation OF
never deserting true friend.
1t can be stated on reliable authority
that the leaders Of the gang have been
informed that they are under suspicion
Already a good sized defence fund has
been raised and lawyers engaged 10 be
called upon when the distress signal is
flashed.
Mr. Whitman is investigating report
that members of the police force below
the rank OF lieutenant have had guilty
knowledge of the operations here OF the
automobile thieves, or perhaps have been
working in with them.
The possibilities of graft IN connection
with stolen motor cars have grown to an
enormous degree during the last three
years, owing TO the still ''unsolved'
mystery of the disappearance OF thou
sands of automobiles from their rightful
owners.
The payment Of rewards to the police
b. insurance liability companies Issuing
policies on automobiles which have been
recovered is one Of the features OF the
investigation. This phase will 10 doubt
have far reaching results in uncovcring
leads involving certain individuals not
vet even limited at in connection with al
legged police graft.
II is known that IN many instances
owners have recovered their stolen auto
mobiles without even reporting the thefts
to the police. They have got In touch
with certain individuals and demanded
their property be returned or there would
be trouble. Invariably the machines
were turned back to the owner.
Returned without Police Aid.
An investigation by THE New YORK
HERALD of several cases shows stolen
automobiles were returned within few
hours after the theft without the aid OF
the police. The following are instances
which have Just come to light;
a few weeks ago 4 new Pierce-Arrow
stopped in front OF the Criminal Courts
Building in Lafayette street. II was oc-
cupied by It's owner. who was plotting
the expensive car. and three other men.
The occupants left the car locked" and
spent fifteen minutes inside the Crini-
nal Courts Building. where they had
business with lawyer
On emerging the car was missing.
One OF the men said he knew a person
who might be able to recover the auto
mobile without going through the red
tape of notifying the police and also the
insurance company carrying theft pol
Icy on the stolen property.
f, fno Ervaut cxcha % wa I
called and the man answering was told
to ts owner within two hours that cer-
tain individuals would 90 to Jail Tho
owners residential address vas given
as the place 20 return the car
H. Just ono houy from thc time the
telephone conversation was held tho
automobile stood unharmed and locked
in front o. the owners home or "a street
OF Fifth avcnuc near Central Park.
A month ago q Packard car was
stolen from In front of the owners resi-
dence on West End avenue. The theft
occurred around midnight while the
owner was entertaining a theatre party.
on discovering the theft when he was 10
drive the friends TO their homes the
owner was told by friend that he knew
of a man who might aid In the recovery
Of the machine.
The following morning at II o'clock
the Packard was left In tho very spot
from which Il had been stolen n de-
velops that a man IN touch with the
doines Of the automobile theft gang
telephoned to a person having an office
near Broadway and Twenty-tnird street.
Result--automobile returned and no
questions asked.
Many other similar cases are known.
About Halt Arc Recovered.
II is estimated on good authority that
out Of the thousands OF automobiles
stolen in this city and vicinity during
the last three years not more than half