Morning journal and courier., 1888-07-23
A CHILD CRIMINAL.
Little Rert1e Warren's Remarkable
 Career of Crime.

Little Rertle Warren,s Remarkable
 Career of Crime.
 From the San Francisco ExamInsr.I
 If little Bertie Warren had turned his in- fant precocity in another direction he would ere this have been famous. His fingers are as adept as Joseph Hofmann's. the boy plan ist, but in different direction. He is only six years old, small for his age, has . bright, intelligent countensnce, of respectable par- ents, and yet he Is a confirmed criminals thief and jail-breaksr. In fact, his story reads more like an early romance eff the Jack Sheppard type than the record of nineteenth century kindergarten pupil. Bertie was taken to the chief of poliee's office yesterday after noon by Officer H. Moran to answer to charge of stealing 6 purse containing $25 from lady at the ferry landing early in the day.
 Chief Crowley could scarcely believe the statement. but when he heard the whole of the remarkable career of the child he was simply dumbfeunded. The little blue-eyed
 mite, with his frank, open counteaance, his head scarcely reaching to the officers knee, 8 criminal! It seemed improbable, but 1t was true, as he learned later from the ohild's mother.
 His father, W. H. Warren, manager of the Warren Glass company, who resides at 120 McAllister street, has ample means, occupies q responsible position, and has done every thing he can think of te reform the lad, but it has been of no avail, while the peor mother
 is almost heart-broken at the shame brought
 upon the family by the exploits of her son. It is nearly year since he started out on his own account and instead of going to school he wandered alone about the streets. The candy stores along Market street were the first to be operated upon. He would walk in 8 grab for something on the stand whieh tempted his palate and make of. He was caught at this work by officers several times and taken to his home.
 Then candy began to pail upon Bertie's taste, and he started out on bolder expe- ditien. He required money, and the boot black stands came in for his attention. The boy would approach one of them, looking very serious, and creep close up to the draw CT. Apparently gazing intsntly at the pol ishers he would cautiously put his little hand In the till, take out the coin and walk away quite unconeernedly, have feast of sweetmsats and go home when the meney was all expended. This continued for some time, but at last he was caught in the act, handed over to police officer, who took him home, and his parents made up the loss to save exposure.
 Matters were becoming uHbearabIe, how- ever, at home, as people were calling almost every day reporting his petty thieveries, and ] his parents had to make compensation. They ! tried extreme measures and locked him up as last resert. He was not allowed to go out unless accompanied by member of the fam. l fly. This worked well for short time, but about three months ago he made his escape, ! taking with him $50 from his mothers purse. ! Search was instituted all over the city, but no trace could be fouRd of the culprit. Three weeks later a telegram was received by his father from the Sacramento police authsri. ] ties stating that the boy was in custody fol robbing till there. He was allowed to roam 1 about the prison ct the State capital with con.