PERSISTENT CRIMINAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 March 1926, Page 4

PERSISTENT CRIMINAL

EIGHTY YEARS’ GAOL. “David Gluckstpin,” London’s swankiest thief’ who for months eluded Scotland Yard’s best men, and fas-, ciliated England by his nervy and often amusing adventures -in crime, to-day is a crestfallen convict, facing a dreary prospect. , - “Yours is one of the worst records of persistent and repieated crime that lias ever been before me,” said the London judge in sentencpig him to. imprisonment for three-years bn a series of theft charges, and 80 years preventive detention” as an habitual criminal. .' i ' Though a prince of crooks, such as E Phillips Oppenheim loves to describe, “Gluckstein,” in ordinary life, was only Emmanuel Goldman, aged 35, a clerk. ' He began his crim-, ■inol career in 1916. In court the sangfroid and distinguished presence that won him the police nickname of ‘ the dandy ■ swindler, ; and a reputation as one of the cleverest rogues who have, passed through, Scotland Yard, deserted him, and in tears and contrition he. sought mitigation of sentence. ,• “Gluckstein’s” favourite pose ,was. as a member of the millionaire Gluckstein family owning Lyons’ main .restaurant in London. In one of his most audacious swindles he obtained jewellery by representing that he .was the. confidential«agent of Lord Riding, Viceroy ,of India. Always clothed, in the highest fashion, he assumed such a hauteur in tradesmen’s presence that many of them immediately assumed all his credentials were correct;-.and took the attitude of not wishing to Offend a | person of such high standing by questioning claims. Numerous I jewellers permitted him to select : the best in their stock and take it put on approval without even a A characteristic incident took place last September. . Entering a smart, shop, “The Dandy” told the l ewel > r he was Mr. Lewis, proprietor of. the Gaiety Theatre, and asked if he could open an account. “ Certainly, _ sir, said the dealer. But “Mr. Lewis then changed his- mind, Selecting two rings and a watch, he drew out a_banK roll and peeled off the price. ; Then,hesitating an instant, he queried, “May I use the phone?” When the i ewel ler consented the thief ostensibly called up the Gaiety Theatre and several orders to his manager. Then, turning to the much-impressed jeweller, he said that on second thought he would buy somejewels for an actress in'his revue. Selecting a diamond cluster ring with four samphires set in gold, a‘ silver diamond crescent brooch, a diamond horseshoe pin and a diamond ring, worth in all several thousand pounds, he said, he would take them “subject to. the lady s approval,” and send the money or return the jewels. He then vanished out of the jeweller’s life. ■