Perth Amboy evening news., 1922-03-23

The three prisoners are EuWafu
pluck Muldoon, twenty-nine year
old. of First steet, South Amboy;
William Buckalew, twenty-eign'
years old, of 229 Henry street. South
Amboy. and Charles A. Watts, forty
eight wears old, of Gordon street
South Amboy. Watts is the alleged
owner of the boat seized and claims
to be a seaman. Muldoon was the
barkeeper, at the Outside Inn which
the place was raided by the county
authorities some months ago.
All three men are held in the
county Jail here under charges q
grand larceny preferred by the state
TROOPERS. Bail has been flxed AZ
$1,000 each.
The capture took place at befort
midnight last night. According e
the state policemen their craft rang
ed alongside of the other FowerooAt
after between fifteen and twentS|
tons of bituminous coal had QeeN
removed. The thieves. were ysesa ffl1l2 D., !
pletely surprised at tlfet unexpected
appearance of the marine guards
and the capture was effected with
out a struggle. Troopers William
o. Nichols, Alfred Harper and Har-
ry A. Cibulla composed the party
or cOnStaDuiaFy'
Watts. it is said has been under
suspicion for some time and has
been constantly watched by the
state police. Numerous complaints
of coal thefts have been lodged WITH
the authorities and evidence poinseI
totward Watts.
Last night the troopers at WofA
on the case learned that a convey
.rl
was to leave the Pennsylvania ran
road docks at South Amboy befo3e
midnight. At the same time theSE
suspected Watts and his companions
especially as he was seen 10 put osi
into the bay at II o'clock in ms
nowerboat. accompanied by the
| other two men. 49,.
Securing another powerboat lhf
trainers followed the departin~
| barge line down the bay and apou,
one mile out, they say, the cralt ~,
| der surveillance ranged alohssau9
one of the barges and mace ias'se
| The work of removing coai ~
| smaller boat then began
rho troopers bided their time asld'
were content to keep the convoy ~
sight until the pirates had an oppoir
| tunitv to get some of the coat
| ahoard When sufficient time iia'i
elansed the trooper in charge guys
tha ,yord and the watching boat pulls
! ed alongside the marauding cfa &
and arrested the three men.
According to officials of the prose
cutors Office signed confessions nay
been obtained from all three .len.l
They are declared to adnht tnSat
guilt but maintain that II IS ,ne u
| t;ne and not the final one or Sc
| They tell Il DllllNi
story of unemployment. lack y
! furGs and no coal in their cellars
1rhe authorities, however, peheV@
tha+ these arrests have undoupteuA
broken up one of the worst gangs -
river thieves that have caused cor
tinuaI losses to coal dealers ana ths
railroad company.
Taet nights coup by the state con
lstabulary is believed 10 be the mrs
itima that any OF these coat thleVts
have been apprehended. FOR yeais
Isuch gangs have been preying upol
barge conveys and also raldeu piiis
near the coal docks along the Soutii
lAmboy shore. Cut rate sales OF coal
i'm that vicinity have been gong ott
10 such an extent that the pusii'esses
of the legitimate dealers was M
paired.
Munltlpdt pOIiCt liS ~ 'NN%t
less to stop the thieving. Agltauvit
for marine police has been stattsa
from time to time at Perth ANNOY.
land also at South Amboy, but 10
, definite steps to establish such a sefx-.
, ice have been taken.
The harbor police of New Nork
, ICitv patrol the Staten Island shore ~
regular intervals and in addition shss
cover the portion of the bay our ~
) far as the New York state iine pus
beyond that point they are powsn7
less to operate and river pirates
until last night, have been free ~
work without fear of detection,
Last nights action by the cohsta''7' '11t
lulary is regarded as an indlcalfnN
ttha+ steps are TO be taken hy fae
state police TO put speedy stop Z
river piracy on The Jersey side 81
The bay. Tho arrests have caused 2
sensation and qualification has been
expressed by county and munlciHs
authorities alike.