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Normal Egg
Member Lvl: 7
Egg Points: 1997
Posts: 63 AIM
Posted: Dec 16, 2007 10:31 p.m. - Subject: Excerpt from a good book
The following is an excerpt from a good book I got last Christmas entitled "Thirty Years A Detective" authored by Allan Pinkerton, America’s first detective. The book was first published in 1884. The copy I own is a 1975 reprint. Anyways here are the first few pages of the chapter entitled:
THE PICKPOCKET
[Excerpt]
If we trace the career of the professional criminal to its incipiency, it will almost invariably be found that the first plunge into the vortex of crime has been that of pocket-picking. Among the alarming number of professional thieves of all grades in the country to-day, it would be difficult to find one who had not at the commencement of his dishonest experience, been engaged in picking the pockets of the innocent and the unsuspecting. It is equally true also that of all the departments of crime as now practiced, there is not one which contains a larger number of adept operators than that of pickpockets. In almost every crowded assembly they will assuredly be found. They follow the circuits of the racing season; they are hangers on about the traveling circus; and are to be found at the theatres, and in the church.
The grades of this class of criminals are exceedingly numerous, and range from the ragged urchin who steals a pocket-handkerchief to the expert professional who can with ease and safety remove a well filled wallet from the inside coat pocket of his hapless victim. The intermediate grades are well defined, and vary according to the skillfulness and daring of the thieves themselves. In this branch of crime women as well as men are active workers, and many of the female thieves are as successful as the men, in the ease and grace with which they relieve the unsuspecting of their valuables. There are some male thieves who confine their operations entirely to ladies, and there are others who could not be induced to rob a lady under any circumstances whatever. The female thieves operate indiscriminately, although they are more successful with ladies than with gentlemen. In the accepted language of the thief, those who operate on men are termed "Bloke-buzzers," while those who make ladies their special victims receive the euphonious appellation of "Moll-buzzers." A de5cription of the means resorted to by the fraternity of pickpockets may prove both interesting and instructive, and as I have had a large experience with all classes of this community, I will endeavor to describe their operations for the benefit of suffering humanity.
In order to give due prominence even to questionable merit, I will begin by detailing the operations of the more ambitious of the male pickpockets, those who frequent the localities where the large banking institutions are situated, and endeavor to rob those who are entering or leaving the banks. For the accomplishment of success in work of this nature, four men usually travel together, who are generally called "a mob." The man who is to do the actual stealing is called the "tool," or "hook," and the others are known as "stalls."
After selecting their victim or "mark," who is engaged in drawing a large sum of money from the bank, one of the number will take up his position inside of the bank, where he can watch every movement of the man who is to be robbed. This is done in order to ascertain exactly where the money is placed, so that no delay may ensue in locating the desired "plunder." Having acquired the necessary information, the "stall" will inform his companions on the sidewalk in which pocket the money is secured, and they then proceed to business; as a general rule, a man who draws several packages of bills from a bank, will place them in his inside coat pocket, and in this instance we will assume that the person who has excited the cupidity of the thieves, has placed his money in the inside pocket on the right side of the coat. He emerges from the bank, reaches the sidewalk, and proceeds upon his way. The thieves follow him within easy distance, but will not make any attempt to accomplish their purpose unless they notice that he is about to enter a crowded thoroughfare, a car, a narrow street, or through a hallway into a building. If in a crowd or narrow street the thieves will, without any preliminary notice whatsoever, act as follows: -Two of the "stalls" will immediately manage to get in front of the man-and these men are called "front stalls"-this is done for the purpose of stopping him or blocking his way for a moment when the time arrives. The "tool" or "hook" will also get slightly ahead of the man, and when the moment for action arrives a slight cough will bring the two "front stalls" to a stand-still. This, of course, impedes the progress of the victim. Quick as a flash, and yet with an ease of motion that attracts no particular attention, the "tool" turns sideways, almost facing the man, but upon his right side. The "tool" usually carries a coat upon his arm for the purpose of covering his hand; with the concealed hand he will word under the man’s coat, and taking the wallet or package by the top, will raise it straight up, until it is entirely clear of the pocket; then drawing it under his own coat, the robbery is complete. During this operation, which requires a few seconds, the "stall" behind the man is pushing and shoving him repeatedly on the left side, as if with the intention of getting past him. The left side being furthest from where the money is concealed, answers two purposes: it not only serves to prevent the man from feeling or detecting the easy sliding motion of the wallet as it is being drawn out of his pocket on the other side, and it at the same time helps to turn the man more toward the "tool" or "hook," so that his work is rendered easier. While this operation is going on the two "front stalls" have not betrayed the slightest interest in the proceedings, and from all appearances are entirely ignorant of the fact that a man is being deliberately robbed behind them. They have not so much as turned their heads, and consequently do not know when the operation is completed, so that they may stand aside and let the victim pass. In order to overcome this, the pickpockets have adopted certain words or signals, which are thoroughly understood by the craft, and these signals are given by the "tool" or "hook." If he is rather slow about getting to the wallet or money, and he notices that the font men are getting somewhat uneasy, he calls out "stick!" This means that in a few seconds he will be successful, and that they are to stay in their respective positions. After he has secured the wallet he will chirp like a bird, or will utter the word "lam!" This means to let the man go, and to get out of the way as soon as possible. This word is also used in case the money cannot be taken and further attempts are useless.
It sometimes happens that it is somewhat difficult to get the wallet or package out of the pocket, and if any unusual force is used in withdrawing it, the man will feel it, and give an alarm. In cases of this kind, the "tool," when he has the wallet in his fingers and ready to be drawn out, will cry, "Rouse!" At this signal all of the "stalls" give the man a general push at the same time, and during the confusion of the moment, the "tool" deftly pulls out the wallet and decamps.
While the detailing of this operation has taken some time, the operation itself is performed in a few seconds, and in almost every instance, without attracting the attention or exciting the suspicion of the individual who is so ruthlessly despoiled of his money.
[end of excerpt]
Here is the picture as it is shown on page 46 of the 1975 reprint (page 40 of the original release.) Shown on the left are the “front stalls,” apparently looking over a map and stopping to look it over for direction; in the center is the “mark;” on the right is the “back stall” bumping him and diverting his attention; on the left is the “tool” making the lift.
That’s all for now, if this is received well, I will continue with the rest of the chapter, it made good practice for my new job as a data conversion operator ($12.74/hour.) If you have any questions, make sure and ask, and look at the picture as well. If you are skeptic of the signals that the tool shouts to the rest of his mob, keep in mind that they are by no means a giveaway to the mark and actually serve to confuse him in such a way that he have no time to recognize the complex operation for what it is within the 3 seconds that it takes to effect the robbery. If the mark did figure it out, the mob would have left by that time.
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Member Lvl: 7
Egg Points: 1997
Posts: 63 AIM
Posted: Dec 17, 2007 9:56 p.m. - Subject:
As a general rule a merchant who goes himself, or sends his clerk to the bank to make a deposit, places the money and checks lengthwise in his bank book, which is generally shorter than the notes, and allows them to project beyond the edges of the book. The book is then placed in the inside pocket and so carried to the bank. A man is usually suspicious and careful when he is entrusted with a large sum of money and the thieves have therefore to be very careful in their manipulations. When a gentleman thus engaged, is subjected to a crowding or pushing from others, he naturally places his hand upon the book, which contains his money, in order to be assured of its safety. The thieves are perfectly aware of this, and when the opportunity offers they simply seize the ends of the bills which extend beyond the book, and by a quick and dexterous motion extract the money and leave the book remaining in the pocket. As a natural result, when the suspicious depositor by feeling upon the outside, finds his book safely bestowed within, he gives no thought to the fact that he has been robbed and does not discover his misfortune until he reaches the bank. This process is called by the thieves "weeding."
There are some people who imagine that it is an impossibility for a thief to rob them, and they are ever on alert. These people place their bank book and money in the outside pocket of their sackcoat, and by keeping their hand upon the book imagine that a robbery is impossible. The thieves, however, know better than this, and their mode of proceeeding (sic) is as follows:
They patiently bide their time until the man reaches the door of the bank, which must be opened to admit him-one man will then step immediately in front of him, or a little to the left-and then stop right in front of the doorway pretending to look at a paper, or, to count some money which he has in his hands-the consequence is, that instead of pushing the man aside so he can use his left hand to open the door-the victim will, unthinkingly, reach out his right hand-which had hitherto guarded his pocket, and pull open the door-the "stall" immediately moves a trifle more to the front for a second, and then turns away-that second, however, is enough, for while the victim and his "stall" are thus engaged, the pickpocket has quietly taken out the money and decamped. This in thieves, (sic) vernacular is called a "tale trick," and bank messengers have frequently been robbed in this manner.
Should the money be carried in the pockets of the pantaloons, the methods are, of course, different. This style of robbery is much more difficult, and as a general thing is not so remunerative as stealing from men who are either going to or returning from the bank. The thieves who follow this branch of their calling are as a class more rude and rough in their appearance and nature, and their actions, while at work, are more abrupt and harsh.
This kind of robbery is generally practiced on the cars-(called "rattlers")-or in a crowd-and if upon the cars is performed on the platforms or in the doorways of these crowded vehicles.
It may be as well to state that among thieves certain terms are used to represent articles which otherwise have proper names. A pocket-book is called "leather;" a wallet "a pittman" or "pitt;" a pocket is called a "kick;" hands are termed "dukes;" a handkerchief a "wipe," and a hat is dubbed a "tile."
The thieves of this latter class will generally select for their victim-(which they call a "mark")-an elderly man, or one who appears to hail from the country. The first are usually more feeble and not supposed to be as sharp as a young man-while the countryman is supposed to carry more ready money about with him than a person belonging to the city.
The pickpockets board a street car and take their positions on the rear platform-always being careful to select a car which is already crowded. For the purpose of illustration we will assume that there is an individual on the platform, who looks as if he might have some money in his pocket-book. The first thing to be done is to ascertain in which pocket the money is carried, and to do this the thief lightly runs his hand across the front of both pockets of the "mark"-and this operation of feeling for a pocket-book is called "fanning." Should the pocket-book be found in the left pocket, the "tool" will say to his companions "left kick," and this will inform them all where the money is located. The "stalls" then surround the "mark," and the "tool" begins to work. With his hand cover with a coat over his arm, he inserts the two first fingers of his right hand, just beyond the first joint-into the victim’s pocket, with the inside of the fingers against the pocket lining farthest from the body. First bending one finger and then the other, he draws the pocket up little by little, which is known as "reefing," until the pocket-book is drawn up within reach. The moment he is able to take hold of the pocket-book--balled "tapping," he quietly calls out "Rouse!" the victim receives a rough push from the stalls--and out comes the pocket-book, which is at once passed to one of the stalls. This is done to guard against accidental discovery, for should the victim miss his money and accuse the "tool" of the theft, he will not find the book upon him, and that is generally sufficient to enable him to get off. The "stall" requires to be informed when the pocket-book is taken, and he waits for the "tool" to whisper "collar this!" or to chirp like a bird, when he knows that he is to receive the money, and that the robber has been successfully ended.
In some cases, particularly among persons from the country, the travelers have heard remarkable stories about the picking of pockets, and have made up their minds that such a fate shall not befall them. To make sure of this they invariably travel about with their hands in their pockets and on top their purses. This careful and watchful traveler gets on a street car, and the pickpockets at once select him as their "mark." He is immediately pressed and hemmed in by the gang and the hand that is not religiously guarding the treasure in his pocket is kept back by the shoulder of one of the stalls. A quiet command "tile him!" is given, and the countryman’s hat is shoved forward from behind. The countryman not being able to use his other arm, pulls his hand out of his pocket and secures his hat. As soon as this is done, one of the "stalls" gets into position, and places his shoulder under the countryman’s arm, thus preventing him for a moment from again placing his hand in his pocket. In a second the "tool" is at work, and in another moment the gentleman from the country finds plenty of room on the platform, for the thieves have left, and with them has disappeared his carefully guarded pocket-book.
Normal Egg
Member Lvl: 7
Egg Points: 1997
Posts: 63 AIM
Posted: Dec 18, 2007 9:13 p.m. - Subject:
When all the seats in a street car are occupied, a pickpocket will occasionally enter and take up a standing position in front of some gentleman who has his coat open. Hanging by one hand to the strap suspended from the roof of the car, and with a coat thrown over his other arm, he will attempt a robbery-swaying about with the motion of the car, he manages it so, that his coat will come directly under the chin of the seated passenger, and under cover of that, he will extract a pocket-book from the inside pocket of the man, who has no suspicion of what is going on. Diamond studs of great value have frequently been taken from the bosoms of unsuspecting passengers under the cover of a coat or newspaper, which the standing pickpocket manages to place under the chin of his victim, apparently caused by the motion of the car. If a diamond stud with a screw is to be taken, the thief after covering the stud with his coat or newspaper, will gently take hold of the screw with his thumb and forefinger, and draw the bosom of the shirt away from the body of the victim-the thumb nail is then inserted immediately back of the head of the screw and then with a firm twist or turn of the hand, the screw will come out. No matter how difficult this operation appears under ordinary circumstances, it will invariably yield to the application of the thumb under the setting of the stone. Should the diamond be set with a flat back instead of a screw, it is impossible to detach it from the bosom, and the thief will instantly desist from further efforts to remove it. A diamond pin is unfastened in the natural way and then raised up straight. A pin or screw stud is generally called a "prop," by the thieves.
Should the pickpockets attempt to work upon a railroad train, they generally select their victim in advance, by watching at the ticket office and noticing a prospective passenger who exhibits a large amount of money. Should no favorable opportunity occur to rob him while he is getting on the car, the thieves will wait until he is quietly seated, when one of their number will approach him, and in a voice or (sic) authority inquire:
"Where is your ticket for?"
The passenger, supposing his questioner to be a railroad official, will at once inform him, when the thief will reply:
"Then you must take the next car," indicating either the car in front or in the rear, at the same time picking up the traveler’s valise, with a view of assisting him in effecting the change, and calling out:
"Come on, sir!"
The man follows obediently, and the mob is waiting for him on the platform. As soon as he appears he is at once jammed in, and robbed. Their previous knowledge of the location of his money, renders their task a neasy (sic) and rapid one, and the robbery is effected in a flash.
The stealing of watches is most extensively practiced, and an expert thief can perform this operation in a second. It does not matter where the man may be, or under what circumstances he may be placed, so that he is standing still, or sitting down. The thief stands partly in front of his victim, and either under the cover of a coat or newspaper, or by placing his left hand under his victim’s right arm, he seizes the chain and gently raises the watch up straight. When it is entirely out of the pocket, it rests in the palm of the hand, the ring of the watch between the first finger and the thumb. By pressing the thumb in one direction and the finger in an opposite manner, the ring is forced out of the watch, and then the chain is dropped easily, and the thief makes his escape[.]
Both watch and chain, however, are frequently taken, but this operation requires a few seconds more time. The bar or hook of the chain must first be taken out of the button-hole, and then taking the chain in his hand, the thief draws the watch up straight, out of the pocket, without attracting the least attention.
This operation is a very simple and safe one for the expert thief, but it is not a very profitable one, for the reason, that he seldom receives more than one fourth of the value of the watch, from the dishonest pawnbroker who deals in stolen goods. The chain, if a gold one, is generally sold for its weight, and brings a uniform price.
In the slang of the professional, a watch is denominated a "super"-a chain a "slang"-and the men who twist the rings or steal the watches are called "super twisters."
Normal Egg
Member Lvl: 7
Egg Points: 1997
Posts: 63 AIM
Posted: Dec 19, 2007 8:12 a.m. - Subject:
I will now refer to the operations of the pickpockets who operate upon ladies-who, as I have before stated, are called "Moll-buzzers."
As a rule the men who steal the pocket-books and purses of ladies, wear a sack-coat. In winter they operate through their overcoat pockets and in summer through the pockets of an ordinary sack-coat. In order to understand thoroughly what is meant by operating through the pockets, a few words of explanation are necessary. It must be borne in mind that the lining in the coat of a pick-pocket is never sewed fast to the cloth at the bottom, underneath the pocket, this is always left open. The thief then rips open one side of the pocket at the top, and this enables him to thrust his hand right through, between the pocket and the cloth, to the bottom of the coat and out beneath. In the pocket proper he always carries a handkerchief, which is often of great service to him.
Thus much by way of preliminary, we will detail the further progress of the operation. The scene is an ordinary street car, and the seats are all occupied. The thief enters and at once takes up his position immediately in front of a lady, with one hand he grasps the strap hanging from the roof, and the other hand is seemingly thrust into his coat-pocket. I say seemingly, for really the hand of the thief is thrust through his coat, the end of which is resting carelessly on the pocket of the lady. With the hand which is pushed through his coat, the thief the thief quietly pulls up the edge of the overskirt worn by the lady, little by little, so that he can reach the pocket. Having reached the pocket, the next move is to try the "reefing" process already mentioned, and then catching hold of the pocket-book, he draws it up into his own pocket and then steps away. Should the lady, by any chance, feel the motion of the man’s fingers about her person, the thief quickly draws his hand up out of his pocket, and taking out his pocket-handkerchief, wipes his face with that very necessary article, in the most natural manner possible. This action, seemingly so matter-of-fact and easy, at once satisfies the lady that she must have been mistaken, and that the man before her could not have been attempting to pick her pocket, while he had his hand in his own.
This kind of work is also done on the platform of the cars, while the lady is entering or leaving the car, only in such cases the "tool" has a "stall," who manages to place himself in the way of the lady, so as to keep her in proper position for the minute that is required to effect the robbery.
Sometimes the thief will seat himself beside the lady in the cars, and then he places his left side toward her. Taking out a newspaper, he will pretend to read, but he is merely spreading it upon his lap to cover his hand that is performing the work of dexterous theft.
A large number of ladies, having heard of these pickpockets, have become so suspicious that the moment a person, who has been sitting beside them, gets up to leave the car, they will at once feel on the outside of their dresses to discover if their pocket-books are safe. Thieves who are expert, know this full well, and so proficient have they become, that with two fingers they can open the pocket-book while it is safely within the pocket, and with the first finger bent like a hook, will clean out the contents [scooping all articles into his palm,] and leave the pocket-book apparently undisturbed; this operation is called "weeding a leather," and the dexterity and ease with which it is done is simply astonishing.
Notwithstanding many statements to the contrary, an expert thief will rarely cut a dress or coat in order to obtain the money of his victim; this is not considered professional, and is universally condemned.
Many ladies carry their money in hand-bags and cabbes, which are now so fashionable, and this fact affords rare opportunities to the observant and sagacious thief. In order to be successful in this, they simply resort to the old method of covering the bag, so that it can be opened, the pocket-book taken out, and the bag reclosed.
This style of robbery occurs every day, and the favorite position for this work is in front of the large show windows of prominent dry goods firms, where the ladies congregate to study what is new, and to admire the beautiful and tempting displays.
Of the female pickpockets, they are generally of English nationality, with a slight sprinkling of Irish and American, but for the most part they are of the vulgar and abandoned class. They usually operate from under their shawl or cloak, and frequently with one of these garments thrown over their arm. They confine their operations principally to ladies, and work in a similar manner to the men. They are generally exceedingly clever manipulators, and, of course, have much better opportunities to ply their trade among their own sex, than men could possibly ever have.
The handkerchief thief, or "wipe lifter," is the lowest grade of pocket picking-and is practiced only by boys or young beginners. It is generally the first step taken toward the attainment of dexterity and experience; and is the beginning of a career which inevitably leads to a prison.
I have thus attempted to give a general idea of the operations of the professional pickpocket, though I am aware that there are numerous other devices practiced, a de5cription of which would only tire the reader. The modus operandi of the expert thief have only been given, and after the revelations here made, the public may take warning, and by being constantly on their guard will insure themselves from ever becoming the victims of the army of light-fingered gentry which infest every city of the civilized globe.
[end of excerpt]
That has been the entire chapter, for the purpose of acquainting my hands with the keyboard, in preparation for my new job ( while I’m in winter-drought :(. )
