The times., 1897-04-27
POLICEMAN TURNS ROBBER
Officer James Z. Pierce Arrested
Charged With Burglary.
ARRESTED In HIS UNIFORM
Charged With Looting Several
Houses ON His Georgetown Beat.
Much stolen Property Found at
His Home and Identified-Severa
Prominent Citizens Victims.

Tie arrest OF Policeman James E. Pierce,
who was taken into custody yesterday
afternoon on the charge Of grand larceny,
and in whose house was found stolen prop
erty. valued at 81, 500, has been followed
by startling developments which give
TO the case far greater Importance than
it at first assumed
1t is now stated on the best authority
that several other officers are implicated
with Pierce, and in all probability addi-
tionaI arrests will follow. A rigid in
yestigation is being pushed by Inspector
Hollnberger and the central office de-
tectives. and every effort is Being made TO
get at the bottom of the affair. The po-
lice maintain the strictest secrecy, and
refuse to give out any additional informa-
tion.
The disgrace which has come upon the
department is keenly felt by all, and the
officials in charge are determined to eA-
haust every effort to secure the arrest of
all those who are implica ted with Pierce
Up to the present time the direct evidence
against the policeman consists Of the stolen
property found at his home, which shows
conclusiveIy that he was connected with
the robbery Of two houses in Georgetown.
How much further his thefts have ex-
tended can only be surmised, but there is
q strong suspicion that number of bur
giaries can be traced to the same source.
II was stated at police headquarters last
night that Pierce's arrest offers possible
exclamation OF the many mysterious thefts
which nave been reported lately. II was
generally thought that an expert gang OF
houseimeakeis were at work In the north
western section OF the city, as from time
to time reports of robberies came in, and
the officers were unable to secure tie
sIightes; Clew. The situation was caus-
ing considerable uneasiness at pclice head
quarters. for despite the efforts of the
detectives the thieves continued to oper-
ate and secure large hauls Of booty with
out leaving the smallest trace behind them.
The theory that Pierce and his cun!cd-
crates may be responsible for these thefts
is bora out in a measure 10y the prisoner
own statements and admissions he has
made to the detectives since lis arrest.
When first taken into custody he inquired
If other arrests had been made, and later
informed the officers that they had re-
covered but a third of the stolen property.
The circumstances which led up to the
arrest of Pierce date back over year
and form an interesting story. The young
man is t0enty-eight years old and was
born in Vermont. He came here five or
six years ago and became member of the
police department in 1898. He was first
assigned 10 the Sixth precinct, but was
later transferred TO Georgetown. Pierce
is married and has one chic, a toy seven
years old
1t was while serving in Georgetown that
his trouble first began. He became con-
vinced ihst lis wife 1Tas unfaithful, and,
reuTning Some one Say s1at year ago.
re ioand hef in cofaRar wita a 1rlifer
nHicer named Ed a~d
pierce Was q uniform aadhad inst o0Ine
frcn The staton. re tex qff Ms revolver
an5 plaee6 8 WHeTe ae wonld not be
tempted TO use IL; then he started lor
Edwards. In the fight which followed Ed
wards was badly beaten. Subsequently
both men were brought before the police
trial board and the matter investigated.
The charges against Pierce were dis
missed ANA those against Edwards are
still pending
After that Pierce's home life was not
happy one and although he lived with his
wife their relations were strained.
just when he succumbed To temptation
is not known, but the present situation,
1t is said. is attributable to the affair
of year ago with Edwards. Itwas said
last night at police headquaI ters that the
information which caused Pierce's ar
rest was furnished by Edwards, but when
questioned the detectives directly inter
ested in the case refused to confirm the
statement Although the man had been
under suspicion for some time the first
active steps were taken yesterday morn
ing.
Detective Lacey was Summoned 20
Georgetown by Mrs Cooke, whose house
had been robbed Of several thousand dol
iars' worth OF goods The officer had a
long conference with her and later the
matter was laid before Inspector Holm
berger at police headquarters 1t was
deemed best To proceed with the utmost
caution in order that no mistake should
be made but as there was strong evidence
that a portion of the stolen property was
concealed at Pierce's house. the Inspector
ordered that search warrant be issued
Mrs. Cooke accordingly went TO the POI
lcecouTt and swore ont warrant. Shortly
after 2 O'Clock yesterday Detectives Lacey,
Helan and Boyd, accompanied 10y Mrs. Cooke
and her husband, went to Pierces nome,
No. GIT street southeast, and searched
the house. Mrs. Cooke readily identified
her property, and also several articles be-
longing 60 Mrs. Fannie Mcmillan, which
had been stored in a vacant house at No.
1884 Twenty-eighth street northwest.
Mrs. Mcmillan is the wife of Maj. Mcmillan,
ofthe United States Army, who is at present {
stationed at Conesus, Livingston county,
N Y.
The information that the goods had been
found was Immediately telephoned to In
spccsor Hoilinberger, who al once ordered
Pierce arrested. The detectives went to
the Fifth precinct station-house and in
formed Lieut.. McCathran Of their mis-
sion. Tie section TO which Pierce belonged