New-York tribune., 1921-01-01
Robber Suspect,
Victim of fHOld-UD.
Is Freed by Court
Man Held i'm Hotel Robbery
Himself Attacked and
Beaten at Time of Theft:
Identification Is Wrong

August F. Idler, of 512 West 111th
Street, whom the police accused of be-
ing the bandit that broke into the
apartment of Robert L. Ireland at the
Murray Hill Hotel the day before
Christmas, was completely exonerated
after a hearing in jefferson Market
court yesterday and discharged by
Magistrate Levine.
Not only is the real Murray Hill
Hotel burglar still at large, but it de-
veloped in court that Idler himself
the morning he was arrested had been
slugged and robbed by a highwayman.
1t was because of his bruised and
bleeding condition that Detective Ros-
coe jenkins suspected him of being the
intruder Mr.. Ireland routed after
tussle.
ldler's assailant, like the Murray
Hill burglar, has not been caught by
the police.
At the opening Of the hearing Mr..
Ireland told Magistrate Levine that he
was satisfied he had been mistaken
when he identified Idler as the burglar.
He also informed the court that Mrs.
Ireland and Major Bevington, another
guest of the hotel, had decided they
were in error in their identitications.
n. aIOO MdCkcWdI, dttOTUcv 1OI
Idler, moved dismissal at this point,
insisted on proceeding with the ex-
animation.
In Bed at Time of Hold-Up
B. L. O'Connor, vice. president Of
lumber company at Rector Street
and Idler's roommate, testified the de-
fendant was home and in bed at 6
Il IL. of
the hour Mr.. Ireland discovered man
pryng open his wife's jewel box and
grappled with him. He swore 1dlcr did
not leave for the office of the London
Guaranty and Casualty Company, SIS
John Street, where he is employed,
until a. m. Time clerks of this firm
testified Idler got to work at $3.50 and
remained until noon.
When he reached the office, the clerks
said, they were sure there were no
marks or bruises Of any kind on ldler's
foce or hands. This was two and one
half hours after the struggle in the
hotel room took place.
Id'er left the office at noon, 1t was
testified. with Alfred Lynch. broker,
Of SO Maiden Lane. They net O'Con-
nor and TIE three remained together
until midnight, when Id'er left his
cor panons in cafe at Twenty
Street and Eighth Avenue.
Held Up and Beaten
On his way home, the defendant
testified, he was held up, beaten, robbed
Of a gold watch and $50 in cash
and left lying on the street in semi
conscious condition. Two men found
him there early Christmas morning,
nearly twenty-four hours after the
hotel burglary, and took him to New
York Hospital. Detective Jenkins was
at the hospital at the time, questioned
Idlcr and took him into custody on
suspicion OF being the Murray Hill
bandit.
Assistant District Attorney Hogan
moved for a dismissal Of the charge
when the taking of testimony was con-
cluded.
The battle between Mr.. Ireland and
a burglar in the hotel room was one Of
the most spectacular crime events dur
ing the height Of New York's reign of
outlawry. No one saw the desperate
leave the hostelry after Mr.. Ireland
thrashed him, and Gordon of police
was thrown about the Murray Hill
while systematic search Of the
premises was made. The bandit, how
ever, slipped through the net.