The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-09-05
Man of Many Crimes and
Aliases Turned Over to
Local Authorities.
SUSPECT IN DESI0 ROBBERY
Released Today After Lo5g Term in
PittsbuTg PenitentiaIy and Must
Stand Trial Here-Mr. Desio and De-
tectives Identify Him.

,
After having served more than four
years in the State penitentiary in Pitts
burg. Pa, James Kelley. alias Richie,
alias John F. Richards. will be released
from that institution tonight. only to
fall into the hands OF Detective Ser
geant Edward Weldon of the local de-
tective force The detective will escort
the man with many aliases to this city,
where he will be tried for having
robbed the jeweIry store OF Victor
Desio. F Street. between Eleventh and
Twelfth Streets, northwest, of $4,000
worth Of diamonds more than four years
ago.
Detective Sergeant Weldon left for
Pittsburs early this morning, and his
arrival there will bring to a close a
pursuit that has been maintained by
the officials of this city for more than
fou.. years in hopes of catching Richie
and his pals.
Cleverest of Diamond Thieves.
The accused man is one of the clever
est diamond sreak thieves in the eoun-
try. The robbery of .Desio's jewelry
store in this city. despite the length OF
time that mas passed. IS still fresh in
the minds of many persons. because Of
the holiness OF the thieves
L was shortly after . O'Clock one
morning when Ritchie. accompanied by
one of his pals. whom the police believe
20 have been none other than William
Devlip, another cleve- thief, entered
Mr. Desio's store Richie entered first
and being we'll dressed he had no trouble
in getting Mr.. Desio 70 show him q tray
of exquisite diamonds.
While the Two we're eugaged in con-
versatiOn BitChie's partner sauntered in
Taking over TO where the prospective
customer and the proprietor were stand
Ing the two exchanged signals Taking
the proprietor of his guard Richie
seized the tray. passed II quickly to his
pal, and both men dashed out OF the
store The alarm was raised, but the
n1iseTeants escaped, dropping one or
two Of the precious gems in the attempt
Detectives Los. Their Man.
Detective sergeants Weldon and
Horne, two OF the most experienced
men OF the police force, were put on the
case. Every clue vas run down and
the last thing that was heard Of either
Of the men was that Richie had en-
tered a saloon near the corner Of First
and F Streets northwest, where he took
the gems from the case, leaving IL be
hind, and disappeared
Although somewhat discouraged. the
two local sleuths worked tirelessly on
the case. Mr.. Desio himself journeyed
10 other cities TO identifv suspects, but
> fortune seemed TO beam upon the guilty
ones.
Only few days ago Captain Boardman
received information that a man giving
the name Of James Reilly would be re-
leased from the State penitentiaTy after
having served more than four years for
having attempted 10 sneak a tray Of dia-
monds. valued at 81 SEQ from a we'll
known PittsbuTg jewelTy firm. Remem-
bering still the Desio case, the watchful
captain asked that picture OF the man
be sent on This was done. and Mr.
Desio Immediately identified the man as
did the detectives
Ritchie's life has been full Of adven-
ture. and his various names play an i'm
PoTtant part in the rcgues' gallery OF
nearly every. police department in the
United States. OF good education and
manner, and always nicely dressed.
Richie is regarded by the united detec-
tive force Of the country as being one of
the finest diamond sneak thieves in the
business
Although comparatively young man
be has been arrested numerous times
but through tact and shrewdness mas
oCtwitted the police
Perha Ds one of the most daring tricks
ever turned on the officials of a peni-
Tertiary vas inaugurated by Richie in
Philadelphia during the fall OF 1882
RitchAe and his partner. a man named
Sullivan, were sentenced 20 four years
and three years respectively Before
DOMINIC the prison garb Richie took the
name Of Sullivan, while Sullivan took
the title Of his pal
Escaped From Prison by Ruse.
The sentences were pronounced upon
them. they we're sent TO the penal in
stitution, and when it came time for
sCIlivan's term to expire Richie came
forth and was once more free, leaving
his partner still IN the tolls.
Il was then that Sullivan revealed his
identity. AS q punishment for the
wToBgdoings Of his partner and also
for having assisted in the deception the
unfortunate man was forced TO serve
the rest OF Ritchie's legitimate time.
aud the governor added two years be-
sides.
Nothing more was heard ofRitchfe in
the big metropolitan centeTs until more
than four years ago. 4 nicely dressed
man stepped into the place OF business
Of q well-knowu Pi1tsburg jeWeler one
evening Just before closing time and
asked 10 be shown some diamonds. They
were shown him. when suddenly the
unsuspecting clerk received a blow on
the head, the tray Of jewels was seized
by Richie and he ran cut Of the door.
Capture in Pittsburg-
Several other clerks, however, were
soon in pursuit and were gaining on
the diamond thief when Detective Nc
Govern OF the PIttsburg police force
saw the excitement while on trolley
ear He at once ran up to Richie, the
Kay Of gems fell TO the pavement, and
battle royal eEsued between police