ORGANISED ROBBERIES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10063, 9 June 1910, Page 4

ORGANISED ROBBERIES.

Much satisfaction is felt at the capture by the Berlin police of several members of a European gang of robbers, headed by an ex-chimney sweep, who had turned the professional knowledge gained in his previous humble, but necessary calling, to such excellent account that he had gained control of one of the most remarkable criminal organisations of recent .years. It was no looselyjointed aggregation of promiscuously operating thieves, but a definitely constituted and rigidly-governed force, led with consummate skill, and working on the most scientific lines. The ex-chimney sweep's chief lieutenant was a Pole, who spoke six languages fluently, and was employed as a guide at Milan. These two men formed the nucleus of the band, which grew in dimensions until it included thirty active thieves and burglars, and a whole organisation of agents and receivers of stolen goods. The proceeds of all robberies were despatched to a central receiving offic*, ana the profits divided according to the rating of the thieves. In Paris a permanent official was maintained. His sole duty was to keep in touch with the jewellery travellers setting out on their journeys, and to telegraph information to hi 3 accomplices in different places. In this manner the courier of a famous Paridian firm was robbed of jewels valued at £24,000 at Genoa in 1908. The gang, which includes several women, haß victimised hotel guest* throughout the langth and breadth of Europe for the past eight yeais, and the plunder secured is estimated at not less than .^UiGOO,