Atlanta Daily World

Women Lose Purses To Holiday Thieves

The purses of several women were stolen Saturday during a busy Christmas shopping period as people crowded to board the Dixie Hills bus at Broad and Marietta Streets, police reported Monday. Police said they learned of the thefts from a woman who attempted to get her money back from a man who informed her he wasn't the "only one" stealing pocketbooks. An unidentified white pedestrian attempted to help but the thieves escaped into the milling crowd of shoppers with only a scant identification to go on. Mrs. Nellie Lewis, of 1950 Detroit Ave. N. W. told police she was boarding the trolley at approximately 2 p. m. Saturday when she heard several people complaining that their pockets had been picked. Looking into her own purse, Mrs. Lewis discovered her billfold, containing $20.40 was missing. After boarding the crowded bus a second woman pointed out women she said had been taking purses. Mrs. Lewis said both men got off the trolley at the first stop on Broad Street after the bus began its run to Dixie Hills. Mrs. Lewis also got off and grabbed one of the men by his coat and pleaded for the return of her money. She told police he simply informed her he was not the only person stealing. (Continued on Page 3. Col. 49)
Women Lose (Continued from Page One)

for the 1958 Summer Institute.

purses, and then ran. A pedestrian tried to stop him, but he jerked loose and slipped away in the crowd.

The Dixie Hills bus, which usually carries a large crowd of people, picks up most of its passengers the beginning of the line which is at Broad and Marietta Streets.

Thieves, apparently seeking money for Christmas have been holding up trolleys. This was the first case this season of the passengers being victimized.