The Washington times., 1902-05-14
POLICE AROUSED over
DARING lOF BURGLARS
Assault on MIR. Roche Cause
for Extra Vigilance.
POLICEMEN IN PLAIN CLOTHES
Authorities Believe That Gang of Pro-
fessionals Are at Work in the City
and Every Effort Is Being Made to
Apprehend Them.

The police are without clew TO the
| identity of the burglars who attacked Mr..
James J. Roche, the restaurant proprie-
tor. at his home, 1858 Thirteenth Street
northwest, yesterday morning. The local
| officials are much alarmed because of
this and other recent robberies. and
stringent orders were sent out last night,
looking to thorough investigation of the
various crimes. To this end a number of
| policemen went on duty in citizens
| clothes after midnight this morning, and
like plan will be followed until some
OF the burglars and other thieves now in
this city are brought to bay
Mr.. Roche is confined to his bed as a
result of his injuries. Two burglars.
masked SO that nothing is known of their
identity. entered the house of Mr.. Roche
an hour before daylight yesterday morn
ing. Their movements aroused the occu.
| pants of the house. and Mr.. Roche got
out CT bed to make an investigation.
armed with revolver. he left his bed
chamber. and started down the main
stairway. AT the foot Of the stairs he
came suddenly face to face with one OF
the intruders, whose face was so perfect-
~ hi1den under a mask that only YES
tlge OF his niustache was visible Mr..
hoche started for the burglar. with re-
Solver unified. but at this moment he
was felled by blow from behind
Stunned by the blow, Mr.. Roche Law at the
bottom OF the stairway, unable to move.
The burglars then left the house by means
OF rear window, through which they had
eVidentiy effected an entrance to the
dwelling.
Summoned Physician.
Mrs Roche, although an invalid. went
to the assistance of her husband who re-
vived somewhat after a time. and a mes
senger was sent out to summon a doctor.
DR.. Edwin NJ. Hashrouck, 2i22 Fourteenth
Street northwest. responded He found
Mr.. Roche weak from his wounds which
were very painful, although not neces-
sariiy serious. The physician dressed the
wounds and shortly afterward, at his sug-
gestion. word was, sent to No. s police sta
ton Of the crime.
Sergeant Brenncfman was on duty. and
ne sent several officers to the house. Two
hours later Detectives Miller and Peck
were detailed on the case by CAPTAIN
Boardman, and since then these detec-
tives have spent their entire time on the
case. The detectives visited the Roche
home and made inquiries about the neigh
borhood In an effort 10 obtain a d.scrip-
ton OF the burglars Little was learned
in this way. but the police have enough
evidence to convince. them that the bur-
glars we're professionals. Several points
noticed by detectives give this belief. ."
Thought to- Bel professionals.
In the first place. the burglars. inmedi-
ately on entering the house, went about
gathering up silverware and other valu-
ables. and this property was put UP in a
big sack, ready to be removed from the
dwelling. Only the appearance of Mr..
Roche prevented the carrying away of
these goods, while fear of attack or dis
covery and possible arrest led to the as
ssult upon him. The entrance effected
by the burglars, the police say. was the
work of an expert. a jimmy or other
sharp instrument was used TO pry open n
rear basement window. little or no noise
was made, and the thieves were in the
house and had nearly completed their
work before their movements aroused
of the family.
A Peculiar Coincidence.
The visit Of the burglars brings back |
TO the mind of Mr.. Roche an incident |
which he now believes may have direct |
with the case. On Thursday |
night last, shortly before burglar shot |
Special Officer Young. at Pennsylvania |
Avenue and Twelfth Streets while the |
latter was under arrest for an alleged at |
tempt to break into the store 913 Penn |
sylvania Avenue northwest, a man entered |
the restaurant kept by Mr.. Roche, 90i |
Pennsylvania Avenue, and called for a |
glass Of beer. Mr. Roche waited on him.
The man drank the beer and walked cut
Of the place, but hesitated at the door.
turned and looked full at Mr.. Roche.
whose curiosity was excited by the Incl
dent However. Mr.. Roche said nothing,
and he left his place of business shortly
after his customer had disappeared.
When he reached Whitney Avenue and |
Thirteenth Street he saw the man who
had purchased the glass of beer shortly
before midnight. Being satisfied that the
man was waiting there to rob him, Mr.
Roche took short cut across lot ana |
reached his home without being modest
ed. The masked burglar, he is now sat
sfed. is the one who bought the beer at
his place Thursday night, and who was
afterward seen waiting on the corner of
Whitney Avenue and Thirteenth Street 1t
Is believed by some of the officers that
he burglars are pals" of John Hay or
David Bratton, who figured in the shoot
ing ARRAY with Special Officer Young
n. q. a.. I