The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1921-02-06
WOMEN SOUGHT AS
MOTOR THEFT AIDS
Whitman Hears .Burlesaue
Lady, Locked Up in Bridge
port, Is Ready to Talk.
POLICEMEN IMPLICATED
DecOy Of Fair Sex Posed as Car
Owner - Beach Visitors
Robbed by Wholesale.
POLICEMEN IMPLICATED

A woman under arrest in Bridge
port, Conn, has sent word to Charles
S. Whitman. that she can give a lot
of information to him about the opera
tions of band of automobile thieves
with headquarters in New York and
about their relations with members Of
the New York Police Department.
Another woman, who the investiga-
tors believe has at times worked with
the thieves was foursl yesterday after
three weeks search by Mr.. Whitman s
agents. She was in fairly safe place
the workhouse on Blackwells Island.
Mr.. Whitman has no idea what the
Bridgeport woman has In mind, but
thinks it worth while TO have an in
terview with her. He will probably
send one of his assistants, William
Chilvers. to Bridgeport tomorrow. The
woman is held there for the Federal
authorities on q charge relating 70
Interstate traffic in stolen cars. She
processes to be willing to tell all she
knows or says she knows upon promise
of protection. IN the case of persons
at a distance who represent them
selves as having valuable testimony
IL frequently turns out that they
merely want to be helped out of
trouble or get back TO New York.
The investigators have a suspicion
that the Bridgeport woman may turn
out TO be former singer in the chorus
Of burlesdue show for whom they have
been looking. If so they win be gratfed,
for they very much want to talk with
the burlesque lady.
Women Know Thieves Plans.
Ii was learned last night that Mr.
Whitman had caused n search to be
made for two women who are said to
have actually helped the thieves in their
organized programme Of stealing motor
cars and to know of the part played
by certain policemen in the disposal Of
the plumber. lie has heard that tho
gang specialized last summer In filching
cars from Long Beach and North Beach.
on Long Island
The cars were driven TO Sea Clff.
T.. l., ferried over TO Connecticut and
placed In garages 10 be kept for at least
sixty days. Insurance companies will
not pay a policy on stolen car until
sixty days after its disappearance. so If
persons are looking for rewards 1t Is
well not to report the recovery" for
sixty days.
Mr. Whitman's Investigators also have
found that a garage in Newark was
used as a hiding place for cars stolen
from New York and Philadelphia. The
women in the case are said to have
been especially helpful at the time of
the actual theft. AS the scheme Is
pictured in the District Attorneys Of
flee, one Of the two women Ia ques-
ton. well dressed and passable Of fea-
ture. would pick out a likely looking
car In the absence Of any occupants
and seat herself IN a.
II the owner appeared soon she could
swcctly explain that she was merely
resting, and. Staying him with a smile.
depart. If he didn't appear she sat
there quietly until her confederate, the
thief. left his observation post slid
into the car and performing so per-
fectly as the rightful driver OF the
car that any onlookers suspicious were
allayed. drove off 70 the Sea Gilt ferry,
or II the car was stolen in the CITY, 10
a garage which made a specially OF
the concealment OF cars until the police
were ready to find" them such is
the way tho thing has worked, accord
ing to men who have been studying ".
The arrest In Bridgeport is accepted
az another sign Of the wide geoerapn.,Ai
sweep Of the traffic In motor cars "h'ch
centres In New York. Mr.. whitman
agents have under observatic1 1ai ses
in Orange, Newark and Bridgeport az
well as this city. Members OF the police
Continued on Eighteenth Page.