Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-04-09
CHARGE OF SAFE BLOWING
Desmond Held in Alexandria and Williams
in This City.
Working Up Several Cases Against
These Men-Recent Robberies
In This Vicinity.

Persons who have been making Jackson
City their stopping splaee or operating
place do not feel quite so secure as
they did before the raid made on
the place early Sunday morning, for
they now realize that they may be arrested
by officers other than those who are elected
or appointed to look after the county alone.
All day Sunday and yesterday the raid was
discussed by these residents, and some of
them seemed to realize that they may soon
have to look elsewhere for place to carry
on their lawlessness. s. "iiddy" Desmond,
whose name is either Edwin or Edward. is
still in custody in Alexandria, and unless
he breaks Jail he will be brought here
about the latter part of the week. When
he was taken to Alexandria just after the
arrest was made Lieut.. Smith, who rem
dered the Washington authorities sucn val
liable assistance. searched him In ms m
side vest pocket he had $3.50 in cash, ana ne
also had a gold watch and chain. AS PRINT
ed in yesterdays Star he refused to'come
here without the necessary papers, and
soon had lawyers to look after his case.
Lawyer Bendheim made the legal contest
for him.
Detectives Horne and Weldon spent the
greater part of yesterday looking after the
case, and Detective Lacy also took part in
the fight. He procured warrant, charging
the prisoner with the safe blowing and ROB
flee and then Detective Horne made aiii-
davit before United States Commissioner
Fowler that the prisoner was the man
mentioned in the Police Court warrant
There was a hearing which lasted only a
short time, and the commissioner held him
in 81 800 bail for his appearance here, and
was committed in default Of security. sew
eral persons We're in Alexandria yesterday
looking after the prisoners interests and,
it is thought will give bail for him before
the judge for the eastern district of Nir-
ginia will get chance to sign the warrant
of removal.
Unable to Identify.
James Fonschell, the young man, watch
man at the Potomac Ferry Company's
wharf, who was bound and gagged. saw
both Desmond and Williams yesterday, but
was unable to identify them. He says,
however, that Williams general appear
ance, as well as the tone of his voice,
answers as near as he can say to the
general description of one of the burglars.
BILLY" Williams is still held in custody
here, and today he was interviewed by
Inspector Hollinberger.
The police are now of the opinion that
the prisoner Desmond is one OF the men
who has been doing the second-story work
about the county and when he reaches
this city he will be looked over by persons
who saw one of the burglars.
When the Jackson City raid was made
and while the officers had Desmond in
custody man supposed to be a law OIL
Ger of some kind approached the party and
made the remark, THAT mans all right.
How do you know he's all right?" De-
tective Horne asked him.
Il know he is"
"How long have you known him."
i've seen him twice before, answered
the man.
This sort of vouching may do over on
the other side of the river when county
officers are concerned but it had no effect
ba Sh Alexandria police.
and Desmond was held.
Other Cases.
The police suspect that the safe blowers
who robbed the ferry company's safe blew
the safe in Clark place at Rosslyn during
the Christmas holidays, and should Des-
mond give bail in this case he may be ar
rested on suspicion Of completely in the
Clark robbery. When, the, Clark robbery
was committed Private Detective McDevitt
made an investiga ton. which resulted in
the arrest of Billy Williams, the alleged
reformed burglar. He was arrested by the
private detective mentioned and taken to
police headquarters, but the officers there
refused to hold him because no warrant
had been sworn out FOR him, and he was
released.
Since then Detective McDevitt has told
the South Washington police Of the build
ing of a boat at the river, 'front.' which he
suspected was to be used to assist crooks
across the river who would operate here.
Today Detective MeDevftt called at po-
lice headquarters and held a conference
with Inspector Holhnbe1ger about the
safe blowing cases.
Besides these two safe robberies there
was similar job perpetrated at Dyer's
store, in Georgetown, -andIin this case. as
in the Others the police are satisfied that
the burglars operated from the river. They
realize that it is the safest way to operate,
for rowing on the river in the darkness
there is comparatively no danger of being
seen, and then when the shore was reached
the burglars had but short distance to
travel through the streets.