New-York tribune., 1922-08-07
Speedy Bandits
Hold Up Cafes,
Shoot Cashier
Touring Cunmen Gather
$500 From Three of
Four Places Visited !:
Escape Easily i'm Taxi
Customers Held at Bay
One Robbery So Cleverly
Done That Nearby Mana,
ger Was Unaware of Theft

rour cleverly planned and neatly ex-
..uted cafe "stick-ups' were accom-
-,;shed during she early hours Of Sun
s,r morning by four bandits travelling
: speedy black and yellow taxi.
o.e obstinate cashier was shot, and
.se total cash collected by the touring
gsrmen was about $500.
The teamwork was admirable to the
.s The cab, driven by an elderly
.h,uFeur, drew up to the curb along
u da the restaurant marked for spoil
;nr. Three men got out, all we'll
aressed. and one noticeable for his
,,rysaal height. These entered the res
+auran,, the tall man advancing with
ort noise or ostentation to the cashiers
Grand near the door, and the other two
taking up casual positions which gave
.len command Of the late eater on the
floor. The tall man in honeyed accents
demanded the contegts of the cash
drawer. In each case save one he re-
eeiyed II, and the trio quietly with
drew. The cab sped away and the
tumult and shouting which immediate
" arose wss just SO much wasted
energy.
Leave Loot After Shooting
David Epstein, sixty years Old a
cashier in the Apthorp, at 1870 Broad
way, was the only man who opposed
the command TO deliver. Epstein got
bullet in his side and the bandits
made a quick and complete escape
without the loot. Epstein was treated
at Roosevelt Hos pital and went home
TO sis West 143d Street.
The place first honored by a visit
from the taxi banditti was Granick's
al 1863 Sixth Avenue. They took Sl26
from the cash register and s25 from
the pockets of Alex Schier, the night
manager, and went OIL their way, leav-
ing Schier yelling for the police The
Apthorp. where Epstein blocked their
progress, was the. next on the list.
Then they went to Sam Blatt's place,
81 20 Lenox Avenue. They turned up
at Rlatt's half an hour after the Ap-
'rssrp fiasco, and while his two aids
kept the twenty odd patrons in their
places the tall, soft spoken leader
quietly removed 5000 from the cash
register.
Showed Real Artistry
There is considerable lapse of
time between the hold-up at Blatt's
and the appearance of the raiding
marty at the Famous Cafeteria at 2240
Broadway. The performance here had
the impress of real artistry upon it.
The Famous is one of those places
where no man may eat without holding
check extracted from the rubber
change mat on the cigar case to the
right or left of the entrance. When
the three approached they hesitated
on the sidewalk, looking the place over
as though debating it's attractions as
cosy eating place where three late
jewellers might refresh their appetites.
The tall man entered at last, leaving
bis supports discussing matters Of
food in the doorway He strolied
right past the cashier, Edward Hand.
This, of course, is against the rules.
Hand called after his tall customer:
"Check."
The tall stranger turned and walked
over to the counter as if to comply
with Hands suggestion. But the
fingers which he reached toward the
cashier helding shining blue revolver
which caused an uncomfortable pres
sure against Hands waist line. The
bandits left hand covered the gun
from view. but Hand knew instinctive-
ly by the feel that it was there.
Takes $500 From Drawer
"No noise, old-timer. Just a little
speedy service at the cash register"
the tall stranger casually,
and then reaching round the corner Of
the machine he sprung the latch and
helped himself to $500 in bills. The
gun was now in plain view as the
thief worked rapidly at the register
with his left hand, and the cashier
held his peace.
So smooth was this last job that
Max Meister, the proprietor, standing
behind counter ten feet from the
spot where the tall stranger was col
lecting his evenings earnings. had no
1nkling OF what was going on until the
ROBBERS had departed in their taxi-cab.
Hand yelled for help and gave chase.
The chase was fruitless.