The Grierson Brothers: Jewelry Heist

 The Grierson Brother's were, James Clifford Grierson who was born 21 May 1907  Center, PA, Thomas Howell Grierson born 19 Jun 1911 in Pleasant, PA. Oscar Calvin Grierson was born 17 Sep 1917 in Center, PA. Their parents were James Bert Grierson (1812-1968) & Laura May Howell (1888-1920).

From the 1930's to the 1940's there were a string of burglary's, safe breaking and jewels stolen from Pennsylvania to Maryland to Texas. The brother's had 2 close friends who helped them out.

Howard Riso Born 11 Feb 1915 & Frank Kacin (I didn't find any information on him).

Lets talk about Thomas first he and Howard Riso were killed together in a police shootout. I found the following newspaper articles.

1935 Shootout ( here are some links you can click on to read the newspaper articles)

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99623985/thomas-howell-grierson/

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99769780/howard-riso/

Thomas wife was Rose Irene Alberts(1917-1997) she marriage again after his death and had children.

Below is Thomas' prison record he was Inmate #25090 Received 27 Feb 1931 and was sentenced to 3 years. He was a Black Smith while serving his time, at age 20. 

Pennsylvania, U.S., Prison, Reformatory, and Workhouse Records, 1829-1971 for Thos Grierson

Allegheny County Workhouse

Discharge and Descriptive Dockets

1873 - 1971

I also found his death certificate 

Here's of photo of Thomas' grave

His Find A Grave Memorial

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/205318009/thomas-howell-grierson

In 1941 the two other brothers are still at it.

James prison record

Record details

Name James Grierson

Received Age 34

Gender Male

Race White

Birth Date 21 May 1907

Birth Place Centre Pennsylvania

Residence Place Allegheny, Pennsylvania, USA

Received Date 10 Jun 1941

Institution Western State Penitentiary

Prisoner Number B7713

Name Oscar Grierson

Gender Male

Race White

Residence Place Pennsylvania, USA

Sentenced Date 28 Feb 1941

Institution Allegheny County Workhouse

Prisoner Number 54091

They were looting safes on railroad

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99722335/oscar-grierson/

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99722200/oscar-grierson/

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99721880/james-clifford-grierson/

Here's all the prison records I found for the brother's on Ancestry. (Ancestry holds tons of criminal records)

All Pennsylvania, U.S., Prison, Reformatory, and Workhouse Records, 1829-1971 results for Grierson.

Oscar was a used car salesman and James was a machinist for Westinghouse, seems he was a very good one, which is what you need to be a safe cracker.

Frank Kacin worked at a second hand furniture store.

I am actually surprised the other two lived as long as they did.

James died 21 Oct 1989 in Plum, Pa and Oscar died 10 Mar 2008. They had 2 sisters.

Luella Rose Grierson

1910–1986

Grace Grierson

1918–1993

Howard Riso who was shot and killed by police with Thomas was only 19 years old, here is the following information on him. His Uncle William Province (His Mother's brother) wrote a letter about his grave.

Here's the newspaper article about his father claiming his body.

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99769780/howard-riso/

Here's a photo of his grave, he is buried by his parents

Find A Grave Memorial

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/111805312/howard-riso

Here's his death certificate

Sad that the families had to endure burying their children do to decisions that were made and paths that were chosen without caution to what the consequence's could be in the end. I wonder what they were thinking and how they talked to each other about the things they were doing.

I wonder what the parents said to them the first time they were sent up the river. It seemed to be easier for them the more times they were locked up, and the more times they got away with it.  Just my own obversions and opinions.