Two clothing store burglaries occurred with a week in Lykens and Gratz, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. The reports of the crimes were published in the Lykens Standard, October 23, 1925:
LYKENS & GRATZ STORES ROBBED WITHIN WEEK; NO TRACE FOUND
Hensel Clothing House at the corner of Main and Market Streets, this place [Lykens], was entered Sunday morning between 4:30 and 6 o’clock by men who took from the stock four cheap-grade coats, two costly top coats, two pairs blue serge trousers, two belts, two hats, and numerous other articles, valued at about $250.00.
The work of the robbery was evidently done by amatuers for shortly after the discovery of the robbery Charles Binning found the old coats and caps of the party at the Block Plant in East Lykens, evidently placed there when the exchange of clothing was made.
The robbers it is supposed were in the building about five o’clock or a little later and were chased from their work by the arrival of George Mucher who fires the furnace in the building. Mucher arrived at the building about 5:20 and it is thought the men were chased, taking the loot they had secured to the premises of J. S. Bogar in East North Second Street, where they threw the goods until later in the morning, about 6:15, when a car drove to the place, loaded the stolen goods and fled.
This is the second time the Hensel Clothing House was robbed, the first robbery occurring on December 12, 1906. The robbers at that time were caught after evading the authorities for a couple of weeks.
The recent robbery was handed over to the State Police who are investigating and early arrests are expected.
Hensel Clothing House now holds the caps and coats of the men who from all indication entered their store, and they are offering as a reward a suit, overcoat and hat to the party who is able to identify them.
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GRATZ, October 20 [1925] — The store taken over about four months ago at this place by Klinger & Son, who came here from Klingerstown, was entered on Monday night, October 12th [1925], and merchandise to the amount of about $300.00 was carried away.
The thieves left no trace of their rampage in the store; all goods being left undisturbed. In their robbery the thieves left cash untouched in the cash register. Mr. Klinger stated there was between $25 and $30 left in the drawer that night.
Entrance was gained to the store by the men by cuting away putty from the glass on the window pane; lifting the pane and opening the latch of the window sash.
Loot carried away from the store included overcoats, sheep-lined coats, woolen shirts, and a quantity of hunters’ shirts.
State police at Lykens were notified of the robbery and are investigating the case. An early arrest of the robbers is expected.
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News articles from Newspapers.com.
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