Swindlers at Police Station Pose as Detectives

1920

Crooks Pose as Detectives and Get $125 From Grocer

HOBOKEN, N. J. -- Police headquarters was chosen by two daring swindlers as the most convenient place to defraud Harold Bonnell, a Milburn, N. Y., grocer, of $125.

The men, posing as detectives, induced Bonnell to go to headquarters under the ruse that his money was counterfeit.

Arriving at the station, the "detectives" excused themselves on a pretext. Bonnell, after waiting an hour for their return, explored the building and finally unfolded his tale to the astonished lieutenant at the desk.


Starved Self to Feed Dog

Women With Income Makes Strange Sacrifice for Pet

REIGATE, England -- A strange story was told at an inquest here of a woman named Giles, aged 66, of independent means, who according to medical evidence, died from pleurisy, accelerated by starvation, the body being very emaciated. It was stated that she lived alone and was of eccentric habits. She had an income of $50 a month, but it was said that most of it was spent in feeding her dog.

--The Saturday Blade, Chicago, March 27, 1920, page 2.

Con Men Selling Electric Money Making Machine

1920

BOORS ARE NOT ALL DEAD;
BUY MONEY MAKING MACHINE

By United Press Leased Wire

Milwaukee. -- Two men in jail here are said by the police to have fleeced several Milwaukeeans of hundreds of dollars by selling a new money making machine. The men are Frank Goeber, 39, and Samilo Bargieb, 35. Five of the bills used for demonstration purposes were of $50. The machine has electric equipment and the practice, say the police, was to give the intended victim a shock before selling him the machine.


PREACHER'S SON LEADS GANG OF HIGHWAYMEN

By United Press Leased Wire

Chicago. -- Henry Olson, alias Johnson, who claims to be the son of a Peoria, Ill. evangelist, was arrested today and charged with leading a gang of thirteen hold up men who have terrorized Chicago for several weeks. Police say Olson confessed.

Olson with seven companions was arrested after a revolver battle. Two of the bandits received minor injuries.

According to police, Olson confessed his gang had committed at least eighty holdups with the last few days. He also confessed, police stated, to shooting Patrolman John McNamen when the officer attempted to arrest them following the looting of a south side jewelry store.

--The Appleton Daily Post, Appleton, Wisconsin, January 6, 1920, page 1.