“THIN MAN"

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 December 1939, Page 2

“THIN MAN"

AN ARTIST IN BURGLARY ESSEX POLICE BAFFLED. FIFTEEN MONTHS' ROBBERIES TOTAL 116. "The Thin Man" has carried out his last exploit for a substantial time to come, and is safely under lock and key, states the "News of the World." We refer not to the famous film character. but to Essex's very own "Thin Man." He is not a master detective, but he is a man almost without a peer in his own adopted occupation. Unfortunately, that occupation is housebreaking, and for 15 months he pursued his craft with a diligence that gave Superintendent Totterdell and his Criminal Investigation Department chiefs in Essex many a sleepless night. That was why the police were so relieved to see "The Thin Man" —Alfred William Simmons, 31-year-old printer, to you—"sent down" for 21 months at London Sessions. Simmons admitted breaking into a house in Wingletye Lane, Hornchurch, and he asked that no fewer than 115 other cases of housebreaking and burglary should be taken into consideration by the court. He must have felt he had earned prosecuting counsel's description of his prowess —“rather an artist in the burglary line.” Eluded Police Traps. It all began way back in the Easter of 1938. Night after night reports reached police headquarters of robberies committed at houses in the Romford. Goodmayes, Hornchurch, Barking, Seven Kings, and Chadwell Heath districts. They were "jobs” done by someone working in stockinged feet and gloved hands. Every report provided the same clue —a window or fanlight catch had been forced. In many cases, the aperture through which the thief had squeezed was so narrow that it was thought a modem Fagin must be at work, assisted by a boy.

Then it was proved that the burglar worked alone, and the nickname "The Thin Man”—a tribute to his fanlight agility—was born. Police set trap after trap in the hope of catching the mystery man. In vain. For nearly six months, Divisional-Detective-Inspector H. W. Baker, of Romford, and a large body of detectives patrolled the streets over a wide area, but whenever they were in the southern half of the district, a burglary would occur in northern territory. Sometimes as many as seven houses were robbed in a night. Once the police received information that "The Thin Man” was operating in a certain district. A big cordon was formed, but three houses inside the cordon were entered and only "The Thin Man” himself knows how he evaded capture. Very cool while at work, he often took a meal and smoked cigarettes in his victims’ houses. At county police headquarters ?n Chelmsford, and at Scotland Yard, the dossier labelled “Thin Man giew almost daily. The police were at their wits’ end. The "Yard” issued descriptions 'nt men believed to resemble “The Thin Man." Burglars of the famous “flannel foot" type were interrogated, but each was able to prove his innocence. Then the police enjoyed an overdue stroke of luck. Waking early one morning, Mr Francis Ernest Rutland, of Glenville Drive, Hornchurch, went to his bedroom window to see what the day would bring forth in weather. He was amazed to see a man climbing in at the front window of a house opposite. He telephoned the police. Rushing to the spot, officers found the burglar seated on a settee in the house, examing a handbag in his gloved hands. He had left his shoes on the lawn outside. But the police were unprepared for the surprise which their captive spiang at the police station a few minutes later. He admitted he was none other than "The Thin Man,” and asked that his manifold exploits should be considered when he was chaiged.

; Native of Belfast. So it came about that "The Thin Man." now revealed as Alfred William Simmons stood in the dock at London Sessions. Tall and slim, with bushy hair, this native of Belfast heard it said that he possessed three previous convictions. The last was registered at London Sessions in January, 1935, when he received eight months’ hard labour for housebreaking and larceny. Since his release in July of that year he had had several situations at printing works, and was described as an excellent worker. He left the jobs of his own account for no apparent reason. Simmons was once a lecturer at a technical school in Hertfordshire, and had worked as a linotype operator in the S.S. Belgenland. "The Thin Man's" methods are now known to the police. Taking a bus to the district he intended to work, he would reconnoitre various houses in the early evening on occasion making an inquiry at the doors in order to examine a window fastening. Then he would wander about until after midnight, when he "signed on." If his first house proved profitable he would take a bicycle and make for home at once. But if he had to visit several houses before finding a worthwhile haul, he would travel home by early bus or train. Though they have their man where they want Him. the police are not yet finished with Simmons. They are trying now to trace his wife and her two little children, from whom he has been separated for some time. They are also trying to ascertain where Simmons has lived during the past 15 months—in court he was described as being of no fixed abode — because they feel certain they will find a hoard of articles stolen from the houses he burgled.