MILLTOWN, April 16.—Robberies seem to be becoming very popular in Milltown during the last few days. Day before yesterday, Miss Elizabeth Broadbent, the daughter of a well-known farmer of Dunham’s Corner, was the victim of a hold-up in South Milltown, (as stated in yesterday’s Home News,) in which she lost a pocketbook and the thief, a young man, made a clean getaway despite the efforts of a posse that pursued him through the woods until dark. At the same time, someone was busy in the Elkins home in North Milltown, as when Miss Margaret Elkins, daughter of Charles Elkins, of Elkins Lane, came home from a trip to New York, she found that her house had been ransacked from top to bottom.
Every room in the house, with the exception of one, had been visited by the intruder, but as far as can be learned, nothing is missing, but her mother’s wedding ring and an old revolver. Miss Elkins is of the opinion that the robbers were in the house when she came home.
MILLTOWN, April 15.-The corner of Kuhlthau Avenue and Main Street, Milltown, was the scene of a bold broad daylight robbery yesterday afternoon, sometime between 2:30 and 4:00 o’clock.
While no definite statement was made as to who committed the theft of a pocketbook containing a small sum of money, the victim of the outrage, Miss Elizabeth Broadbent, the daughter of a well-known farmer residing near Dunham’s Corner, has every evidence to believe that the party is a resident of a nearby town, and has relatives living here.
The party who committed the theft is but a young man, and certainly was bold to attempt what he did in broad daylight. The cries of the woman soon brought neighbors to the scene, who joined and gave chase, together with one of the local officers, until late in the evening.
The man made his escape through the main thoroughfares of the borough, and thence to the woods, where he baffled the posse that pursued him. Late in the afternoon, it was thought that he was making his way toward the railroad.
Buggy and Harness Are Found Near Prosecutor Booraem’s Home, and Smith Scott Finds Wandering Horse Belonged to J. L. Patterson.
The safe blowers who dynamited the Milltown Post Office for the fourth time early Saturday morning, and who stole a horse and buggy belonging to J. L. Patterson, of Milltown to aid in their getaway, abandoned the outfit on the outskirts of this city, which leads to the impression that the work might have been done by a band of local men. It is believed that the work is being done by those who are acquainted with the surroundings. The work does not appear to be that of a band of professionals. Saturday, they dynamited the safe, doing some damage and breaking the combination, but they did not secure anything. They were probably frightened away.
Before going to the post office to do the work, they stole a horse and buggy from the barn of J. L. Patterson, nearby. They did this probably to have means of making their escape if they were detected.
Early yesterday morning, the caretaker at “Lindenwood” on George Street found a buggy and a set of harness near the entrance gate, close to the home of Prosecutor Theodore B. Booraem. He told Charles J. Carpenter of his discovery. Mr. Carpenter notified the police who investigated and notified Mr. Patterson of the finding.
Saturday night, Mr. Patterson came here and identified the rig. Early Saturday morning, while delivering bread, Smith Scott, the baker, of Railroad Avenue, noticed a horse without harness, following him about on his route. Mr. Scott fastened him to the wagon and took the animal to his barn, and later inserted an advertisement in the Home News. Mr. Patterson Saturday night identified the horse as well. The rig was in good shape when found.
The safe blowers came to this city by way of Ryders Lane, and on the outskirts of the city, abandoned the rig after freeing the horse. People residing on George Street remember hearing the clattering sound of a horse early Saturday morning. The horse roamed about the city until found by Mr. Scott.
The rig was abandoned by the safe blowers, who were afraid to drive through the city at such a time in the morning. Detective Peltier of the Prosecutor’s office believes the work to be that of thieves located in Newark. There is a band of yeggmen there who do such kind of jobs in small places, where there is little police protection…
Mr. Patterson valued his horse at $250, and it was a speedy one. The only articles now missing are a whip and a pair of fine fur gloves, belonging to Mr. Patterson. No clue has as yet been discovered, but detectives are still working on the case.
The theory at present is that the aim of the safe blowers was not horse thieving but obtaining money from the Post Office. The horse and carriage were taken so that the walk home would be slightly shortened.
The Post Office doors have again been repaired. The safe doors, however, are wrecked and new ones will have to be secured. The safe is owned by William and Ellsworth Crenning who rent it to the government for Post Office purposes.
The entry into the post office has in every case been easy. Each time it was made by the front door. At the first attempt, no effort was made to blow open the safe. The second visit was featured by a boring in the side of the safe but no explosives were used. The shots of Ellsworth and William Crenning disturbed operations on the third visit and the dynamiting Friday night gained nothing of value.
The owners of the building made no effort to trace the thieves on previous attempts. It is reported, however, that they are taking steps this time.
Many in the borough heard the explosion but could not make out what the noise was. William Crenning raised a window and looked out but saw nothing. John Junker, who was on the point of returning after the G. C. C. reception, also heard it but did not think anything of the report. Miss Hattie Evans, Mrs. Otto, and Howard Evans also noted the report.
Some residents of South Milltown claim that they heard a horse and buggy fly over that thoroughfare at three o’clock. It can hardly be thought, however, that the men took a roundabout course of escape.
HELD UP BY THREE BANDITS Attack Made Upon John Sanchev Near Milltown Church MAKES GETAWAY WITHOUT CASH
Three unmasked bandits held up John Sanchev, aged forty-two years, of 1164 Ohio Avenue, Trenton, in front of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Milltown, at 10:15 o’clock last night while he was on his way to board a Trenton Street Line trolley for his home. Before the bandits were able to carry out the robbery, they were frightened away by the cries of their victim. Sanchev was mercilessly beaten by the bandits who rained blows upon his face and body, and when he was found by William Huff and Howard DeHart, two young Milltown men, his face was badly battered.
Huff and DeHart went in pursuit of the bandits but they escaped, one taking to the fields and shaking off his pursuers and the other two boarding a westbound Trenton trolley car. Sanchev was taken to the office of Justice of the Peace Joseph A. Headley of Milltown where he told his story of the assault and attempted robbery. Sanchev had reached the church, which is but a short distance from the Trenton trolley junction, when three men came upon him from the rear and, without explanation, began striking him. He tried his best to ward off the blows but they came so fast and furious that he was soon overpowered. Sanchev, who rifled his clothes, called for help and DeHart and Huff came to his rescue. The highwaymen made a hasty retreat.
When brought before Justice Headley, Sanchev stated that he had been visiting at the home of Mrs. Catherine Plassia and that he was in search of employment in Milltown. He was returning to his home in Trenton when the assault took place. He stated that he had $10 in his wallet at the time of the holdup which the bandits overlooked in searching him.
The police of Milltown and the state police made an investigation soon after the robbery was reported but did not find any trace of the bandits. Edward Beecher and William Beecher, Milltown marshals, joined the state troopers in searching for the bandits. The Trenton police were also notified to watch the incoming trolleys, but the men probably alighted before reaching Trenton, as no trace of them was found on any of the trolleys reaching Trenton before midnight.
Sanchev stated he believed the holdup men to be Frenchmen. When they left him in his dazed condition, Sanchev stated that he heard one of the men address the other as “Tenoff.” Sanchev went back to the home of Mrs. Plassia after having his injuries treated, and this morning he left for his home. Sanchev is a married man.
Steve Bagonye Held Up and Robbed Near His Home Last Evening Hunt Underway For South River Men Who Are Suspected of Crime.
MILLTOWN, Nov. 11 – The Milltown police authorities, working in conjunction with the South River police, are endeavoring today to effect the arrest of two men, believed to be South River residents, who are wanted on a charge of having held up and robbed Steve Bagonye of Washington Avenue, this place. The victim is about fifty-five years of age and is the father of Dr. Eugene Bagonye, pastor of the First Spiritualist Church of Milltown.
Mr. Bagonye is employed at the Michelin tire plant and was on his way home about 5:15 o’clock yesterday afternoon when he was stopped at a point on Washington Avenue, near his home, by a stranger who asked for the courtesy of a match. As Mr. Bagonye came to a stop, another man sprang from some nearby bushes and placed his hand over the Milltown man’s mouth, his companion going through his pockets at the same time. The thieves got Mr. Bagonye’s pay envelope, containing $22, his penknife, and a bunch of keys.
Freeing himself, Mr. Bagonye screamed for help, whereupon the strangers knocked him down and one stamped upon his neck, while the other jumped on the ribs of the fallen man. After administering a thorough beating to him, the men ran away, leaving their victim nearly unconscious along the roadway. He was found in this condition a little later by a neighbor, who happened along and was assisted to his home.
This morning Mr. Bagonye had recovered sufficiently to give a fairly accurate description of his assailants and neighbors said they knew one of the men to be a resident of Washington Heights, South River. This information was conveyed to Chairman Dorn of the Milltown police committee, who summoned Marshals Beecher and Lins, and all three officials left at once for South River, where they enlisted the aid of Police Chief Ebberwein of that place.
Early this afternoon, a hunt for the South River man, believed to be one of Mr. Bagonye’s assailants, was underway, but with what success is not known.
THIEF RANSACKS MR. FONTAINE’S RESIDENCE VICE PRESIDENT OF MICHELIN TIRE COMPANY
Vice-President Emile Fontaine’s residence on Main Street, Milltown, was burglarized last evening. The thief made off with jewelry and money, managing to escape without being detected.
Mr. Fontaine is the vice-president of the Michelin Tire Company and resides in the recently purchased Sine residence by Dr. Ferdinand Riva. The family retired at 10 p.m. The nurse and interpreter, Miss Anlee Holohan, was partially awakened by someone passing through her room before dawn. She also heard noises downstairs but, as she had asked the cook to wake her early, she didn’t pay much attention to it.
When the cook came downstairs at 6 o’clock this morning, she was startled to find the kitchen door wide open with the doormat in place, and the window screen on the steps. It was evident that the thief had entered through the window.
A thorough search of the house had been conducted, but some items were overlooked. One hundred dollars belonging to Miss Holohan had disappeared.
Clothing Stolen from His Room Superintendent Fontaine noticed early this morning that his clothing was missing from his room but found it at the top of the stairs. His silver watch and chain, purchased in Paris, were gone. A silver dollar had been taken from his vest pocket, along with some loose change.
Mrs. Fontaine discovered a small decorative platter halfway down the stairs, and her silver watch, along with a fine long gold chain for her neck, was missing. The chain was valued at $32 in Paris. An old gold watch of English make and a gold brooch, both belonging to Miss Holohan, were also taken. These items held significant sentimental value for her.
It was clear that the thief had moved silently through the house and taken great care not to disturb anyone further.
At half-past six this morning, Superintendent Fontaine called Justice Headley to conduct an investigation in his home. Naturally, the family was highly alarmed but relieved that no more had been stolen.
It seems that there has been recent prowling by thieves in this area of Milltown, likely taking advantage of the darkness resulting from malfunctioning electric lights.
Thief Spotted Multiple Times Mrs. Frederic Bauries spotted a man near her kitchen door at 1 o’clock one morning. He disappeared immediately. She had also noticed someone prowling around Justice Headley’s property around midnight on another occasion.
On a separate occasion, she frightened off a man attempting to enter her neighbor Charles Sevenhair’s window.
The same thief proceeded to David Nevius’ house and woke him up around 5 o’clock this morning. The thief was seen searching through Mr. Nevius’ trouser pockets. Mr. Nevius attempted to confront the thief but had trouble loading a cartridge into his gun, allowing the thief to escape. The thief managed to steal some money during this encounter.
