The New York herald., 1922-01-01
BANDIT GETS$2,6OO
. in 5TH AVE. HOLDUP
Takes Bank Runners Payroll
at 31st Street; Escapes
in Throng.
COP so FEET DISTANT
Turns Out Light OH Second
Floor Landing, Halts Mes
senger With Gun.
COP so FEET DISTANT

A toung man wearing a black over
coat and brown fedora hat walked
leisurely into the main entrance of the
twenty story building at 305 Fifth ave-
nue. and East Thirty-frst street at
1880 yesterday morning. The ave-
nue. was crowded with pedestrians and
heavy traffic and persons were enter
ing and departing from the three ele-
vators in the building. A postman
was emptying a mail chute box near
the stairway. The elevator starter
was busy, as was the traffic policeman
fifty feet away. The owner of the
cigar stapd stood sonversing with a
customer near the entrance.
The young man walked UP the stair
way and stopped on the broad landing
half way to the second floor. on which
is situated the importing jewelry firm
of ID. Lisner & Co.. directly over the
toy store OF f.. A. o. Schwarz. He
turned out the one electric light on the
landing.
Jack Rothschild, "a. a trusted en-
ployee of Lisner & Co.. had been sent
to nearby bank for the weekly pay
roll. amounting to $500. He entered the
building carrying a small satchel con-
tanning the cash a moment after the
robber had turned off the light on the
landing. Instead OF taking the elevator
Rothschild started up The stairway. and
on reaching the center of the landing
was halted by an automatic pistol
rammed against his abdomen.
Give me that bag and hold up your
hands or I'll blow you to pieces" said
the bandit. The bag was surrendered In
quick time.
'If you attempt to follow me or make
noise I'll blow your head off," warned
the robber starting down the stair
way.
He sauntered past the elevators with
the bag In his left hand and the right
hand In an overcoat pocket conceallng
the pistol. The postman was gathering
up his bag Of mail and glancing toward
this swinging door entrance saw the
robber looking back.
Catch that man with the payroll"
shouted Rothschild from the landing.
At the moment the robber had just
stepped on 70 the sidewalk through the
swinging doorway. The elevator starter,
postman and cigar counter owner--the
latter having obtained "A good look at
the bandit--started in pursuit. closely
followed by Rothschild. Half a dozen
persons waiting 20 take elevators also
rushed out Of the building.
Showing the same coolness the robber
walked into the Fifth avenue entrance
of Schwarss toy store and was seen
to leave the place by tho Thirty-fIrst
street exit. A moment later several of
the pursuers entered the store. They
were too late. however. as the bandit
had disappeared In the throng. The
traffic. policeman was notified and he
summoned detectives from the East
Thirty-flfth street station. but nobody
could be found who had seen the robber
after he had departed from the toy
store.
Members OF the firm OF Lisner &
Co. refused to give out any infor-
nation except to admit the payroll had
been stolen while Rothschild was on
his way from bank. The postman.
elevator starter and cizarstand owner
gave the police somewhat detailed
description OF the bandit. Rothschild
also gave q good description of his as
sailant.