The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-19

process of formation for some time. AS
the case stands now, it is alleged that the
Supposed guardian of the peace has been
carrying a system of petty stealing
from numerous stores on the Second ave-
nue. beat which for some time he has been
patroling from IL at night until II in the
day.
The climax came yesterday about II
o'clock, when, by order of Chief McDon-
aid, Night Captain Weir and Day Captain
Donaldson arrested officer Rollo and
brought him into the chiefs office. This
was done because the chief desired that
the man be arrested by those who ranked
above him.
He was confronted with the charge,
stripped of his badge and arms and thrown
into jail. He sits and stares through the
bars and is, although making a desperate
attempt to conceal it, considerably agi-
tated He is attired in the patrolman's uni
form, and there is a spark of grim humor
in bluecoat being incarcerated with those
he has aided in welding the chain about
him.
The First Case
The way suspicion was aroused was that
officer Rollo failed to report a burglary
that occurred in the L. A. Davis millinery
establishment in Second avenue. Chief Nc
Donald's suspicious were aroused. He was
deeply mortified, but went about the task
of working up the case. For the sake of
the suspected officer, in the event that ho
might be innocent, nothing was said to his
fellow officers
The chief found hat in the possession
of Rollos wife. This furnished the clue
which it is claimed will land the policeman
in the penitentiary. Mr.. Davis and those
connected with the establishment identified
the hat as one that had been missed. Rollo
said that he purchased it. This was denied.
The officers place of residence was Wis
tied. Several razors and two pairs of scis-
sors were found. One razor the Estes
Stove company identified, it bearing their
cost mark. All of the clerks were ques-
toned, and all were emphatic in the state
ment that nothing of the kind had been
purchased by Rollo.
Giving Presents
1t was then found that he had been pre-
senting his friends with numerous gifts
and that he had been seen with a new Al
Colts revolver. The latter, with a derrin-
ger, were located in pawn shop. They
are thought to have been stolen.
He had presented a lady with some silver
ware. This was identified by Mr.. Brown,
of the Brown Crockery company, with the
statement that the officer had purchased
nothing of the kind. Then two pocket
knives which had been presented friends
were traced up and one was identified by
the Birmingham Arms company.
Chief Mcdonald is working up other clues
and by Monday morning the officer ~ay
be deeply in the meshes.
Rollo denies everything. He says it is all
mistake and that he will come out un-
scathed.
When he was first arrested he was taken
before the chief and Chairman Stevens of
the police commission. In every instance
he told of where he obtained the property
found on his premises. He said he won
some of the razors at the "fakirs' stands,
others he purchased and traded for.
All a Mistake
cit is all a mistake" he said to an Age
Herald reporter. II never thought of such
thing" He attempted an air of absolute
unconcern.
In regard to the hat he said he purchased