New Britain herald., 1925-12-10
BOY BANDITS FALL
into POLICE NET
Confess TO Seven BurslarieS
Committed in Past Week
SHOTS FIRED IN CHASE
Patrolnien Kennedy md Woods
Make Capture--Button on Boys
Coat Found by Detective OAlara,
Brings About Confession.

After a chase during which four
shots were fired by police. Albert
Mankus, 16-year-old youth, and
15-year- old pal, were caught early
this morning and confessed TO the
series Of store rohberies which have
baffled the police during the past
two weeks. Mankus was sent 10
Cheshire reform school by Judge
William c. Hungerford this morning
when he was tried In police court.
The younger boy Is in the custody
OF Juvenile court officials. Police be-
liove a 14-year-old boy is also 1nph-
Gated In the theft, but he has not
been apprehended as yet.
Caught Early This Morning.
Shortly before 1880 o'clock this
morning Officer John Kennedy no.
ficed the two baby bandits proWling
about the Stanley street railroad
crossing. When the boys caught
sight of the officer thoy ran, ana
we're pursued by Kennedy. who was
ioined later In the chase by OHlceT
Woods. The boys ran as far up the
railroad tracks as the Union MIG
company, 296 Church street, where
the younger thief was caught
Officer Kennedy phoned to head
quarters at 1880 o'clock, from the
cate house, and continued the searcr
Tor the older boy. An hour laler he
found the boy huddled In the hall OF
one of the apartments on Stanley
street. near Dwight street. The boy
rave his name as Albert Mankus
and said he lives at $50 North Bur
litt street, first floor.
Button Brings Confession.
The two boys were brought u
HEADQUARTERS and were questioned
by Sergeant Patrick OMara. At mrs
fbe lads denied their guilt, but ~hei
Sergeant O'Mara produced buttol
which matched those worn by Man
Ius. the boys confessed. the ser
gaant found the button Monua.
night In the store of Adam Creek
ia Broad street. from which IN
bovs took SIT in change from tn
cash register.
In court this morning Mankus ap
nAared badly frightened, eVe1
though he and his friend have pee1
sent to the reform r"Aool before
Mankus stood uneasily, his eyes re-
and filled with tears. His parent
we're not In court and apparent
3id not know OF their sons esca
made. When asked II he was guilt!
Mankus gulped, and In q hoars
whisper answered affirmatiVely.
Equipped With skeleton Keys.
a ring Of skeleton keys was take
from Mankus, which he said Il
used to get In the various store
Officers say the boys usually discard
ed one set of clothes SO that the
could be In disguise" in the bel
movie manner. After they were al
rested last night, a set OF cioth'
were found In an ash can near u
Stanley street railroad crossing.
A partial list Of stores they ente'
ed follows, although police behe'
there will be further confessions c
their part. Adam Grecki, SIT take
rom the cash register Of his s'or
at 113 Broad street Monday nigh
Stanley Oeskiewcz As Horace stree
$40 taken from his store. Monde
night; George E. Fredericks' Ar'
street, store entered on Tuesdi
night, nothing taken; E. w, RlppI
40 Walnut street, two boxes
candy taken Tuesday night; Anthol
Podesta, 5l4 Main street, five ca
IONS Of cigarettes and a quantity
candy taken; Joe Jedrecyk. SSl
Burritt, on November s, 81 a
some cigarettes taken. store at
Miller street was also entered,
In addition to the above thefts L
boys also stole three overcoats al
pair of trousers from the tan
shop of 3. Vellassais, l6S Elm stree
three boxes OF cigars from. store
S14 Stanley street, $45 from the ca
register at the store Of Mrs. Skim
on Broad street. sweater from |
clothes line Of Mrs. Waters, Arm
rice street; two bicycle tires own
Inv an Addison boy on North Burr