The San Francisco call., 1897-05-14
DENICKE'S BURGLAR
AN EX-CONv|CT
Just Completed a Three
Year Term for a Sim
liar Crime.
Capture of a Dangerous Crimi-
nal by Officers Long and
Caples.
He Resumed the Business of Burgl ary
as Soon as Released From the
Folsom Prison.

The alleged tailor. William H. Van
Pelt, who was found last Wednesday even
ing about dusk in the parlor of Capitalist
Denicke's residence, on the corner OF
Mason and Sacramenty streets, has been
identified by Detectives Bee and Harper
as Samuel w. Private, whom they arrested
IN 1894 on charge of burglary.
Private was convicted OF the crime and
on December %. 1894, was sentenced to
three years. Imprisonment in the Folsom
prison. His term expired on April II OF
this year, and on the day after he came to
this City.
Policemen Caples and Long. who cap
tured Private last Wednesday evening,
after an exciting chase, discovered yester-
day that when Private returned here from
the Folsom penitentiary he took room
at the Capital House, 537 Sacramento
street, and that he had been living on the
proceeds of burglary ever since that time.
He was, however, very cunning in his
actions, and never left stolen property in
his room more than few hours at time.
He evidently had ''fence" somewhere,
and his room was a hallway house from
the houses which he robbed and the other
thief who received the stolen goods.
A few days ago he left bundle of
woman's clothes in his room for two
hours, and then took il away with him.
On Wednesday morning he brought in a
large clock, and at II o'clock in the iore-
| noon took it away.
Private, alias Van Pelt, when discovered
in the parlor by woman servant OF Capt.
talist DeniCke, put on stupid expression
and had his mouth open, pretending to be
in an ecstacsy of admiration over the
beautiful statuettes and mantel orna-
ments. He walked leisurely out of the
door, but when he heard Mr.. Denicke
coming after him he ran swiftly down
Clay street.
Policemen Long and Caples saw the
man running and heard the capitalist cry,
stop thiefr' between puffs, and they
joined in the chase. Private darted into
Prospect place, but before he could reach
Sacramento street the policemen inter-
cepted MIN. He told them that he had
arrived from Portland that morning, and
| that taking stroll up the hill he saw the
door of the Denicke mansion standing
open. He entered, through curiosity, and
was so wrapt up in admiration of the
beautiful things in the parlor that he did
not hear the good-looking servant-girl
come in.
When Long asked why he had run away
he replied that be was trying TO catch a
Clay-street car.
DuL Tue CIdy-StTeeb cars QOu run
down hill" said Long. They run up
hin.''
Whereupon Convict Private, alias Tailor
Van Pelt, held his peace.
He was identified yesterday as a man
! who entered the residence OF Robert Sher-
wood ON Mob Hill Monday morning and
stole quantity. OF articles. He was OBJ
served and chased, but escaped. In his
flight he dropped all the articles except a
ieweI-case which was fortunately empty.
The police think that he has committed
other burglaries, and Detectives Bee and
HarLer are investigating,
At the time he was arrested in the latter
part of 1894 he was member of the Sal
yation Army band. He was looked upon
as shining light, the only fault he had
being a fondness tor strong drink. Three
instruments beIongi to other members
of the band were stolen, but Private
was not suspected till Bee and Harper re-
covered one OF the instruments from a
pawnshop and Private was identified as
the man who pawned it.