The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-23
ACCUSES POLICE OFFICER.
ERIC FRIscH MAKES CHARGE
AGAINST PATRoLMAN LEIGHTON.
Jeweler Whose store Was Robbed
Says Policeman Offered to Act
ms n Go-Between for the Robbers

Eric Frisch. whose jewelry store was
robbed early last Monday morning. yes
terday made public an interview which
he says he had with Police Officer George
Leighton, in which the patrolman at
tempted to negotiate as go-between be-
tween the victim of the theft and the
men who were implicated In the robbery.
Frisch claims that Leighton came to
his store on Wednesday evening and in
CURED If there was a reward offered for
the recovery of the stolen goods, repre-
senting that he was in communication
with the confederate of the man who en-
tered the store, and stating that IL no
prosecution was instituted the goods
would be returned upon the payment of
a liberal reward.
Officer Leighton emphatically denies
that he entered the store with any such
purpose in view; that he in fact went
there solely for the purpose of making
casual inquiry at the request of Ban
crofts Patrolman Bert Taylor, who was
cooperating with the police department
In investigating the robbery. In this
Leighton Is corroborated by Taylor him
self, who last night confirmed the state
ment Leighton made regarding the object
of his inquiry
To Observation-Disclosures reporter Mr.
Frisch last night made the following
statement:
On the evening Of December 10 an officer came
nto my tna H., d not q tnpw his name but
said to me; Have you promised any reward for
US receipt q the goods which were stolen from
ask such question: He replied simply tais:
KY II s yau height so get back ns re- 5s
greater part Of them, l would pay literally, put
Ia. am hanged II I will reward an officer for The
discharge Of his duty l then asked him whatehe
came in to sec me for: what was his mission to
me He replied II is this way The chief knows
nothing about the identity Of the thieves Now,
met man on Pike street short time ago This
man asked me whether any reward had been offered
,or the return q this property said did not
Know whether there had had not, He then
suggested that find out. and sent me in TO do so.
We now have man in jail who Is strongly
who sent me here is his pal I am sure that if
you promise not to prosecute in YOU get your
PROPERTY back and to pay a liberal reward for its
7 was thundelstruck at this When | recovered
my breath said, Although 7 might Offer !, re-
thieves. To this the officer replied. oh, as far
as that Is concerned. you might prosecute anyway
when once yon get them back. "
When told the substance of Mr.. Frisch's
charges Officer Leighton said:
There is absolutely no foundation for such a
charge Had Mr.. Frisch taken occasion to investi-
gate the motive which prompted me TO enter the
conclusion that was in league with any man for
such purpose. His statement that represented
oer n y, ,nas rs- h 40, seen saan man myself Or
mentioned e false The facts are these: | met
Bancroft's PatroIman Taylor on First avenue. near
me II knew whether Frisch had offered reward
| replied that did not know as had been Of
duty for several days and knew practically nothing
about the burglary, not even having read the ac,
counts q Il Taylor told me that he mad been
approached by man on Pike street, who is well
known IN this city, who asked him IL there was
reward offered and he had promised to ssccrt ain
we were within few yards Of the store at the
and see. We started. but Just before we entered
the store an acquaintance OF Tayors hailed him
asa Pc b stopped ,bsr went on and saw F'eh
him about the inquiry made through Taylor
II further told Frisch that ! believed one of the
suspects was in Jail He then stated that he would
net pay reward at least not TO the police depart
ment assured him that the department was not
asking II, but told him that in my OPINION from
an experience In such matters that 4 reward might
stimulate Of the criminals 70 turn states eyi.
dence and turn up the stolen stuff
Frisch replied that he had carried burglary in.
snfance for years and was not sufficiently inter
ested IN the Of the goods to offer reward
avenue again shortly afterwsrd. accompanied by
another man The substance Of the conversation
the man who wanted the Information aug ,he
reward was Not caring to use Taylcr's name I
simply described him; telling frisch that he was
store He evidently jumped at the conclusion that
! meant the burglar was standing there. eri-
denced by the statements which lie has made re-
garling cur interview =
When seen concerning the matter Ban
crofts Patroiman Taylor verified the
statements made by Leighton In explana-
tion OF his visit 10 Frisch. Said Taylor:
II cannot state the Of the man who APP
preached me, for the reason that II might upset
the calculations Of the police department with
whom have been working. 20 appichend the bur
glars However. II any indiscrcet act was commit
ted am to blame. and not Leighton. Meredith
knows my connection with the matter and also
knows The man By when ! was approached con
corning the reward.
Chief Meredith Is Investigating the
charges made by Frisch. and stated last
night that Tor the present he did not care
To make any statement for publication,
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