Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 188, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 August 1916 — JESSEN’S JEWELRY STORE ROBBED [ARTICLE]

JESSEN’S JEWELRY STORE ROBBED

Robbers Threw Chunk of Cemept Through Window, Taking Watches and Several Other Articles. G. J. Jessen’s jewelry store on West Washington street was the scene of a daring robbery at about 2 o’clock Sunday morning. Four watches were taken and two lavalliers. The thief, or thieves, wlhichever it may have been, gainetl entrance to the window by hurling a large chunk of cement pavement through it. It was an easy matter then for the robbers to reach in and take whatever they could m their hurry to make their getaway. Mr. Jessen estimates his loss at about SIOO from the articles taken, and considerable more from the ’amage to his window fixtures, which suffered to a great extent. The robbery occurred about 2 a. m.

At the time of the robbery, Night Officer Critser who with officer W. S. Parks near Wm. Traub’s store on East Washington street. The officers heard the crash of the falling glass but were unable to determine immedia,tely from whence the cound came and decided that one of the proprietors of on of the refreshment stands on the street had dropped a case of pop bottles. C. P. Fate, who had just closed hds restaurant for the night, heard the noise from his home across the street and hurried to the ~cene of the robbery, but caught no sight of the thieves. Mr. Fate soon found the officers who had gone to the alley to investigate the disturbance. The three of them hurried to the place where the deed had been committed and after a thorough investigation were unable to find trace of the thieves who had ample time to make their getaway. It is probable he roblx rs were followers of the circus and find it easy to do their work in small towns, due to the fact that there are so many strangers in the towns during the day. A great many people are prone to blame the .officers on such occasions as these, claiming that they are not diligent enough, but Mr. Jessen attaches ho blame whatever to the officers, as the '” unexpectedness and quickness with which the robbery was executed gave them no chance whatever to capture th<f thieves. Chicago and many other large cities have contended with just such bold robberies as this one for years, and the greater per cent of them make good their escape, and the failure of the Rensselaer officers to capture the thieves should not reflect discredit on :heir ability. Oxford, Ind., was also tne scejie of a robbery Sunday and it is not improbable that the burglary was committed by the same men who worked here. $2,500 in jewelry and silks was taken. The robbers made good their escape.