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News from March 14, 1924 (Buffalo Courier, via Newspapers.com™)
Molasses Burglar at Large in Buffalo
On March 14th, 1924, newspapers reported that in the early spring of 1924, the city of Buffalo, New York was the setting for a series of peculiar and unsettling break-ins. The wrongdoer came to be known as the “Molasses Burglar” due to the pattern of targeting homes in affluent areas and then moving on to local businesses.
One of the burglaries took place at a grocery store owned by D. L. Maulbetsch, located at No. 77 Hertel Avenue. The store suffered the loss of $30 from the cash register, as reported by the Buffalo Courier. The method of entry matched the mode used in previous burglaries linked to the Molasses Burglar.
At the Eastern States Battery Company store on 882 Michigan Avenue, intruders forced their way through the front door but seemed to have been startled, perhaps by passing pedestrians, which led them to abandon two radio sets in an alley nearby while making their escape.
A different incident was reported at the tailor shop of Stanislaus Niespodzany at No. 715 Sycamore Street. The front door was forced, and the thieves managed to steal thirty yards of cloth.
An attempted burglary was also noted at the meat market of George Studer at No. 352 Tacoma Avenue, where a burglar alarm scared the would-be burglars away before they could get inside.
Learn more about March 14, 1924 through historical newspapers from our archives. Explore newspaper articles, headlines, images, and other primary sources below.
Source Articles and Clippings
"Molasses Burglar" In One Of Four Robberies Reported 14 Mar 1924, Fri Buffalo Courier (Buffalo, New York) Newspapers.com
Molasses Burglar 14 Mar 1924, Fri Buffalo Courier Express (Buffalo, New York) Newspapers.com