Abraham Greenthal (January 9, 1822– November 17, 1889), known as "The General,"
Abraham Greenthal (January 9, 1822– November 17, 1889), known as "The General," was an American criminal known as one of the most expert pickpockets in the nation. He was a thief and fence for more than 40 years and led a nationwide ring of pickpockets. 𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐲 Greenthal was born in Betsche, Prussia (now Pszczew, Poland) in 1822, though he would later call himself German like many Polish-Jewish immigrants of his era. He immigrated to the U.S. at a young age and soon entered a life of crime. Greenthal made his home and base of criminal operations in New York City's Tenth Ward. He led the Sheeny Mob, a syndicate of Jewish pickpockets who worked across the country; "sheeny" was a derogatory term for an untrustworthy Jew. The gang's method was jostling into victims in crowded places, particularly train stations. Among his criminal associates were Greenthal's family members. At the time of his death, The New York Times wrote that "all the Gree...