A tale of how a gang of thieves was caught and were held responsible for four robberies in the Lykens Valley area in 1925. The robberies occurred at the following establishments:
- Hensel Clothing Store, Lykens.
- Goldman and Spessler Department Store, Elizabethville
- Phil Jones Store, Lykens
- Elizabethville Motor Car Company, Elizabethville
The story is from the Lykens Standard, December 11, 1925:
____________________________________________________
HARRISBURG GANG ROUNDED UP AND CONFESS TO FOUR LOCAL ROBBERIES
Robbers of the Hensel Clothing Store of this place [Lykens] and the Goldman and Spessler Department Store of Elizabethville, were caught this week.
The leader of the gang was caught last Saturday in Harrisburg for stealing a tire from the machine of the State Police wireless operator. Troopers Engle and Thompson, the latter formerly connected with the sub-station at this place [Lykens], arrested William Hoffman, alias Dewey Hoffman on the charge of stealing the tire and he confessed to the act implicating Jack Mountz, a former Lykens resident. A warrant for Mountz’s arrest failed for he learned of Hoffman’s arrest and left the city.
In searching for Mountz, Troopers Engle and Thompson niticed a green-yellowish roadster in front of a pool room in Harrisburg and Thompson recalled the Hensesl robbery and description of the car. He took the license number and made slight investigations which proved the car had a new carburetor lying on the floor. The car was a Buick roadster license No. B2095. Thompson then caled Trooper Miller at this place and secured full information. Upon going to the auto to arrest Mountz he found that he had left with the car.
Hoffman Wearing Hensel Clothing
While Hoffman was undergoing examination and investigation on the charge of the tire robbery, it was noted his clothes answered the description of those stolen from the Hensel Clothing House at this place. Trooper Miller at this place was notified of the findings and he and Mr. Joseph Smith went to Harrisburg where the latter identified the clothes as those sold by their store. Hoffman was then brought here and Forrest Hensel also identified the clothes as the brand and SPECIAL MAKE they had in stock which was stolen. The one coat, however, had a belt removed from its original design and investigation disclosed the belt was removed and the seam re-sewed by a tailor.
Admits Hensel Robbery
Hoffman would say nothing to give any indication that he had part in the robbery until Monday when he was being taken to Elizabethville in connection with investigations of a robbery at that place. Enroute he admitted to trooper Miller that he had part in the Hensel affair and said” “I’ll be d—- if I’m going to jail alone for it. Skinner Harman and Harry Wallace were in the robbing party.”
Wallace and Harman were both former residents of this place [Lykens]. Hoffman said Mountz was not implicated in the Hensel robbery.
Wallace Escaped Arrest
After learning of Hoffman’s arrest Wallace also left Harrisburg. No trace could be found of Harman and Trooper Miller continued investigations here to learn that Harman was employed in Pottsville. He went to that place Tuesday afternoon and found him employed by the Hotel Allen.
When approached by the officer with the charge Harman pretended to know nothing os the affair and asked: “What are you trying to do, kid me?”
Miller informed him that “Dewey” Hoffman was arrested and confessed that he and Wallace were implicated. Without further argument, Harman admitted he was with the party. He was brought to this place and later taken to Harrisburg for the preliminary hearing which will be held in the office of Alderman Windsor.
Harman admitted having three pairs of trousers valued at $5.00, a pair which he sold for $3.00 and Hoffman sold an overcoat wirth $10.00 for $5.00.
Robbed G & S
After arrival in Lykens, Harman being questioned, admitted he was with the crew who robbed the G & S Department Store at Elizabethville and implicated in that robbery George Hess, 22, of North Fourth Street, Harrisburg, and Emanuel Kearson, 17, of Fulton Street, Harrisburg.
He related in his confession that the goods was taken from the store in an Overland touring car and the route covered was thru Elizabethville to Halifax to Peter’s Mountain to Wildwood Park, Harrisburg, where he said the goods were hidden. He later changed his story by stating that they sold the bulk to a man at a pool room in Harrisburg for $7.00, he promising to “keep his mouth shut” and ship the good at once to New York.
Confessed Jones Robbery
Harman was taken to Harrisburg, Wednesday morning, and while undergoing questioning, confessed to the robbery of the Phil Jones Store in West Lykens on June 8th [1925]. The Jones Store loss at that time amounted to more than one hundred dollars.
Questioning as to what was done with the stolen goods Harman stated the bulk was sold for $15.00 to a Harrisburg party.
Admits Lentz Robbery
After confessing the Jones robbery Harman was confronted with the robbery of tires, carburetors and other accessories amounting to a large sum from the Elizabethville Motor Car Company, James E. Lentz proprietor. He admitted being implicated in the robbery and promised the Troopers the names of others who assisted.
The charges against the young men will be breaking, entering and larceny.
___________________________________________
News article from Newspapers.com
Corrections and additional information should be added as comments to this post.