Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-05-22
A WOMAN TURNS BURGLAR
Katie Vandevere, With Several Aliases, Ar.
rested on That Charge.
Accused of RObbfng Mrs. Mertens
Her Former EmplOyer-Entered the
House Through the Back Door.

A young woman, who may have been
good-looking long time ago. but whose
face shows the result of extreme dissipa-
ton, was a prisoner In the Police Court
this morning on the charge of burglary
and she was sent to Jail because there was
no one who was willing to become respons-
ible for her. Her name is said to be Katie
Vandcvere although she Is also known as
May Winfield, with the additional aliases Of
Vans and Driscoll. So, far as the police
know, the young woman has never before
figured in police circles a prisoner, but
her manner of clearing the way to commit
this burglary shows that sne would stand
in well with the noted criminals of this
country.
Jewelry Worth $1,000.
The charge against her is that she en-
tered the house of Mr.. Frederick Mertens,
NO. I'LL 9Th street, Thursday night and
stole about 81, 900 worth of teweiry and a
$40 bill. When Mrs. Mertens discovered
Thursday night that she had oeen robbed,
she called in the police, and yesterday
Detectives Boyd. Helan and Hartigan made
an Investigation, which resulted in the
arrest OF the Fandevere woman at her
ROOM on c street northwest between Sd
ana ~ streets, and the recovery of all the
5eWeiry and 81 of the money.
When the officers visited the house of
Mr. Mertens and made their investigation
they found that an entrance had been eff
fected by breaking the glass from the
back door. which enabled the burglar to
slide the bolt and open the door Every
room in the house was searched by the
VIC man, clothing and other articles had
been thrown carelessly. about the floors.
taken.
A Clever Ruse.
Mr.. Mertens who is in the coal business,
was in Cumberland at the time and Mrs
Merteps was away from the house. She
had received an anonymous note, which
1t Is now claimed was written by the pris-
oner. In this note the writer asked Mrs
Mertens to call at a house on 9th street
southwest, and requested that she dress
as plainly as possible, and that she wear
nc 1ewelry. just who wanted to see her
and about what Mrs. Mertens did not
know, but thinking the mission was a
charitable one, she went in search Of the
house Indicated, leaving her home without
any protection. She went to 9th street
southwest, and found that il stead OF a
dwelling there was vacant lot at the point
designated. and realizing that there was
something wrong, she returned home only
to disccver that a visitor had been there
during her absence.
The Woman Suspected.
When the detectives learned that a wo-
man had been seen to leave the house with
a bl nele, Mrs. Mertens recalled the fact
that Katie Vandevere had been 4 servant
In her house more than "a year ago. She
was good servant. but she was addicted
to the use of laudanum to such an extent
that she could not be trusted and for
this reason Mrs. Mertens dispensed with
ably certain that the burglar was none
other than the former servant, and they
went In search of her, finally locating her
at the house on c street.
a q nf hAr
the police. Katie says she has been in
Pittsburg and Philadelphia. and she had
intended to leave the city yesterday, but
was too much for her. When taken to DO
lice headquarters she told of her habit of
using laudanum, and said she had lived in
houses OF hi-repute from time to time. The
ing