Postby dognose » Tue Apr 17, 2018 4:09 am
HE WAS LOADED WITH PLUNDER
When a Pair of Detectives Swooped Down Upon Him
E. G. Webster & Sons, who have a large silver plating factory at 622 Atlantic avenue, did not know that they were being systematically robbed until Captain Kenny, then of the Tenth Precinct, informed them of the fact early in January. Then they instituted an examination of their books and stock, and discovered that silver plated ware, of an approximate value of $600, for which no accounting had been made, was missing. Later developments showed that the stealings had been carried on for a period extending over eighteen months, during which time the members of the firm had no suspicion that they were being robbed. The thefts have been traced to one of their trusted employes, who is now languishing behind the bars in Raymond Street Jail.
The fact that the firm was being robbed was first discovered by Detectives Curran and Ryan, of the Tenth Precinct. In their visits to pawnshops in the city during the holidays they noticed that an unusual quantity of silver plated ware in the shape of spoons, forks and knives was being pledged. Their suspicions wore aroused and they made an investigation. They discovered that the goods were manufactured by Webster & Sons, who, after an examination, said that the articles were stolen from them. The two detectives then applied their energies to the capture of the thief. Feeling very much convinced that he was an employe of the firm they established an espionage on all the workmen in the factory. The thief, however, suspected that he was being watched and suspended his operations for a time. At noon yesterday the two detectives had their attention attracted by an employe whose coat bulged out at one side as he stepped from the factory. The man boarded a Seventh avenue car going to the ferry. The detectives followed him. He alighted at Myrtle avenue and made his way to Martin's pawnshop, whore he tried to pledge two dozen tablespoons, four dozen forks and two dozen knives. The clerk, in the absence of his employer, refused to advance any money on them. The man left the store, but as soon as he reached the sidewalk he was placed under arrest by Curran and Reynolds. Taken by surprise, he broke down completely and admitted that he had stolen the goods from Webster & Sons. He confessed that he had been robbing the firm for eighteen months.
The prisoner was Richard Dolan, a silversmith in the employ of Webster & Sons. He is 35 years of ago and lived with his wife and children at 78 Underhill avenue. He told the detectives that he had two dozen tea and one dozen table spoons, which he had stolen, at his home. The detectives went to his house, taking with them a letter from Dolan to his wife, and secured the spoons. They do not believe that Mrs. Dolan was cognizant of her husband's stealings. Dolan had been in the employ of Webster & Sons for seven years. He was arraigned before Justice Walsh this morning and remanded for examination.
Source: The Brooklyn Daily Eagle - 20th April 1889
Trev.
