Burglars Learn To Use Technology to Rob Pelham Manor Homes in 1901

Please Visit the Historic Pelham Web Site
Located at http://www.historicpelham.com/.
Please Click Here for Index to All Blog Postings.

In 1901, a technology that we take for granted today -- the telephone -- was still in its infancy. Barely two decades old, the technology was embraced by the bad guys who learned how to use it to further their illicit goals. The article below from The Sun (published in New York City) shows what the criminals were doing.

"BURGLARS USE THE TELEPHONE.
-----
Ring Up Houses First to Find Out Whether Any One Is at Home.

NEW ROCHELLE, N. Y., June 24. -- Burglars have adopted the scheme of ringing up the telephones in big houses at New Rochelle and Pelham Manor for the purpose of finding if there is any one at home. The residences of D. I. Carson at Pelham Manor, of the Rev. A. F. Tenney, rector of Pelham priory, and of Joseph T. Brown, Vice-President of the Knickerbocker Trust Company, who lives in Rochelle Park, have been robbed by the burglars carrying out this new plan.

On Sunday night burglars ransacked the home of Charles T. Robinson, a New York builder at 85 Centre avenue, New Rochelle, while the family was at church. It was learned afterward that during church time some one had called up Mr. Robinson's house on the telephone and learned that all were out. When Mr. and Mrs. Robinson returned home they found that theives had lighted the gas in every room and carried away $300 worth of silverware and jewelry."

Source: Burglars Use the Telephone, The Sun, Jun. 25, 1901, p. 4, col. 1.

Please Visit the Historic Pelham Web Site
Located at http://www.historicpelham.com/.
Please Click Here for Index to All Blog Postings.