It Paid Off

All his life, suave, curly-haired Eugene J. Carroll, 26, of Levittown, L.I., has been "looking for excitement." He started out to be a doctor, but quit after two years' pre-med at Brooklyn's St. John's University because it was "too drab." Finally, five years ago, Carroll found a career that suited him just fine. It took him to some of the top universities of the East.

Not even his wife knew what he did. As a matter of fact, it sometimes seemed as if Eugene Carroll hardly knew himself. For no apparent reason at all, he would suddenly decide to visit Brown University. Later, he would be off to the University of Maine, or would head for Harvard. But once on campus, Carroll knew exactly what to do. He had learned all about the habits of students--and the knowledge, says he, "certainly paid off."

Sometimes he would pose as a student or an alumnus. Sometimes he would be a writer on "college affairs," or a typewriter salesman. However he introduced himself, deans and janitors believed him. let him wander about the dormitories at will. But in five years, Carroll never wrote a single word or sold a single typewriter. "Instead," says he, "I stole them."

Working mostly on Saturdays, when students and professors are apt to be at football games, Carroll also stole wallets, watches, jewelry. He took credit and identification cards, used them to forge checks. The summer months were tough going ("The slack season," says Carroll), but he found that in the ordinary academic year he could show quite a profit. He spent an average of $500 to $800 a week, still had enough money left over to buy a new Chrysler, and to move his wife and five children into a new $10,000 home (paid for in cash).

Last week Carroll made a mistake: when his wife told him that she was expecting a sixth child, he stomped out of the house, saying, "I ought to do you in!" Mrs. Carroll called the police. When her husband returned, the game was up.

Searching for weapons, the police found a garbage can with four wallets in it. Carroll was wearing two wristwatches, one inscribed "Columbia," the other, "University of Pennsylvania." The Chrysler was loaded with souvenirs from old Eli: two typewriters, a camera, $70 in cash.

Last week, as he told his story, Carroll said that he had hit just about every top Eastern campus but one: his own alma mater. There were Villanova and Cornell, as well as Harvard, Yale, Brown and Pennsylvania. At some time or other, Carroll even ventured as far west as Chicago. "How about Princeton?" asked one of the detectives. "Ah. Princeton." sighed Eugene Carroll. "One of my favorites."

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