The New York herald., 1922-02-01
WIFE SAYS THIEVES
GOT 7$30,OO0NH0ME
Money Just Drawn From Bank
Before Bandits Arrived,
She Asserts.
ROBBERY is MYSTERIOUS
Mrs. Max Gitelmacher Found
Locked in Closet-No One
Seen Leaving House.

Screams in the apartment of Max
Gitelmacher at $40 Manhattan avenue
yesterday afternoon led Lucius Ran
dolph. the elevator operator, to break
open the door. Inside he found Mrs.
Gitelmacher locked in a closet, into
which she said she had been forced by
two armed bandits who, she asserted,
had robbed her of 100000 she had just
withdrawn from the 116th street
branch of the Chatham and Phenix
Bank.
According to the story told later to
detectives from the West 123d street
police station, Mrs. Gitelmacher and
her husband went to the bank at 116th
street and Lenox avenue just before it
closed and drew the 100000 from a
joint account, tho signatures OF both
being required for the withdrawal.
Mrs. Gitelmacher then got into an au-
tomobile, which carried her to her
home. but not until after she had seen
several friends whose identity was not
made known.
Soon after she entered her apart
mant Mrs Gitelniacher heard her door
bell ring, according to the story told
to the police. When she opened it two
men stepped i'm with, revolvers and
one struck her in the face. They then
removed the 100000 package of money
from her waist, where she had placed
it on leaving the bank, and locked her
in the closet.
suffers From Mysteries.
She remained in the closet until rela-
tivcs calling at her apartment heard her
screaming and notified the elevator
man. Last night Mrs. Gitelmacher was
said to be suffering severely from hys-
terics and to be under the care OF a
physician.
Meanwhile the police are surrounding
the case with great deal OF mystery
They refused TO divulge any informa-
ton, except that the clues on which
they are working may lead to arrests
in connection with other crimes. Per-
sons who called at the Gitelmacher
apartment on the third floor of the
building were told that instructions
were left by the police not to talk. The
police denied that any such instructions
had been given.
1t was impossible to learn the move
nents of Mr.. Gitelmacher after he and
Mrs. Gitelmacher drew the money from
the bank. No one would say whose
automobile took Mrs. Gitelmacher TO her
apartment or what friends she saw on
the way. Neither could It be learned
for what purpose the money was drawn.
The police say Mr.. Gitelmacher sew
eral years ago was interested in the
drug business, but that he is no longer
engaged in It. The police admit how
ever, that they understand that Mr.. and
Mrs. Gitelmacher arc engaged Jointly
IN some sort af moneymalsing enter
prise. but would not say what that
business was, If they knew.
1t was understood that the police in
sisted on knowing the purpose for
which the money was withdrawn and
.he names Of such other persons as may
be Interested with the Gitemachers In
business. In that way they said they
hoped to obtain q clew. There seemed
to he no doubt that the robbery was
committed by persons who knew that
the money was being drawn from the
bank and knew where the Gitelmachcrs
lived.
The elevator operator said that. while
Mrs. Gitelmacher had said the men vino
robbed her had followed her from the
bank. he did not know on what she
based the statement that she had not
notified him or the superintendent that
she suspected she was being followed
and that he had seen no unfamiliar
persons entering or leaving the build
ing near the time the robbery is said
to have taken place.
Two other Thefts Nearby.
The Gitelmacher robbery was the
third In the same Harlem section dur
ing the day.
The FIRST occurred in the carly morn
ing when four men smashed a window
of the Royal Wearing Apparel shop.
107 West 125th street, with a milk can
and escaped in an automobile with
four fur lined coats valued at $500.
Later two men walked through the
crowded lobby of the Hotel Theresa. at
125th street and Seventh avenue, stepped
into the elevator and rode up one flight
10 the office of DR.. Felix Graboff One
man complained OF cold and asked
for an examination. DR.. Graboff reached
In his instrument cabinet and when
he turned around to begin the examina-
Iion. he looked into the niuzzlcs OF two
revolvers
After robbing him of a $4,000 dla-
mond ring. His watch and a wallet
containing s100. the bandits bound Or.
Graboff In n chair and left, locking
the door and taking the key. At DR..
Grsboff's request and on his promise
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