The Washington times., 1901-07-11
SOME RAPID POLICE WORK.
Within Half an Hour Case Is BE
gun md Finished.

A young colored woman giving the name
of Selma Byas, and who says she lives
IN Union Court northwest, was arrested
early last night by Precinct Detective
Hartigan and Policeman RaIey. OF the
Second precinct station, and charged with
grand larceny.
The woman mas been in the employ Of
Mrs. Ida Six, of 1319--Vermont Avenue
northwest for just one week as do
mestic. shortly after O'Clock last night
word was sent 10 the Second precinct
station. On Fifth Street northwest. that
a daring robbery had been committed in
tbs Six home. and that a policeman was
wanted upon the scene at once. Lieuten-
ant Byrnes at once detailed Detective
Hartigan upon the case. Upon arriving
there on his bicycle he met Sergeant LYDIA
and Policemen Raley. Van Horn. and Skin
ner all of whom had heard of the robbery.
On their arrival az Mrs. Skis home it was
found that silverware to the amount of
$50 had been stolen.
Upon investigation Hartigan learned
that the Byas woman. who was stran-
ger in the city. had been seen By one OF
the other domeSticS placing a great guam
tity of silverware in numerous newSpa-
pers, and t.at she then disappeared out
the side alley gate. Upon hearing of Mrs.
SKIS loss the domestic told OF her discov-
cry, and in few minutes the five police
men were on The track of the alleged
thief.
About twenty minutes after the robbery
had been discovered Policeman Rsfey and
Hartigan, who were on the opposite side
of the street, noticed a colered woman
approach carrying in her arms an un-
usually large bundle. As she met the
Byas woman's description somewhat
Hartigan stopped her, and upon opening
the bundle found to his amazement
great quantity OF silver forks. spoons,
oyster knives. and some costly dishes.
The bluecoats thereupOn escorted the
woman to the Six home. After being posi-
lively identified by Mrs Six as the miss
ing servant she was then taken to the
Second precinct, where she was locked up
From the time the message was received
up to the wOman's capture only thirty
minutes elapsed, showing quite prOTni-
nently the efficiency of the Second pre-
When questioned by Detective Hartigan
as to what she had done with a valuable
diamond stick pin which Mrs Six reported
stolen the Byas woman denied all knOwl-
edge of the missing property. She said
that after she had taken the articles she
walked up TO the Third precinct police
station, where she enquired of the police
TO what would be the best way to col
lect sum Of money from Mrs Six, which
the ByaS woman alleged was owed her
for her work The Second precinct Ofh-
ciaIs at once communicated with the
Third precinct and were Informed that
the woman had been there. but had not
admitted taking the silverware. Mrs Six
her former employer. stated that the girls
story was a falsehood. as there was no
money due her.
The Byas woman is not a new character
in police circles by any means. About
year ago she was arrested by Detective
Hartigan, when he was stationed at PO-
lice Headquarters. She was sentenced to
sixty days in jail on a charge OF petty
larceny, IT being proved in court that she
had stolen a diamond ring from another
cUlOred woman
The police of the Second precinct are
now busy recovering the rest of the
stolen property. 1t is thought the case
will be heard in court this morning.