The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-11-28
Thirteen Year Old Neqroes
Battle Police IN Remark.
able Series of Crimes, But
Confess at Last.
George B1o1On andAEer0nder
Shorter Frequent The Play-
houses and I1iIfafe L1yEd
Scenes IA MeLod1amas-
STUDY McUemenLS of Police
and Opezafe VIII PzofeS-
s'oH0f Oa1fif-S9uaadesed
"S@ag on Candy.

Two small negro boys, Alex. Shorter
and George Brown. each thirteen years
old, confined at the Sixth precinct polics
station, have confessed that they have
broken into twenty-five stores and nesi-
denees in the past month Their opera-
tions have been the cause Of great aux-
iety TO the people OF the city. and have
caused a great deal Of work and worrv
on the part OF the police.
| Constant lookout has been kent for
the housebreakers by alert. experienced
detectives and policemen. but the how.
were not even suspected until last uipbr
crude outfit Of burglars tools was
USED oy them, and the stealing was done
by one while the other watched.
Special Policeman Nick Miles eauzbs
shorter IN the rear of Neudecker's cigar
store, $50 Pennsylvania Avenue north
west. about 11:90 last night. and Detec-
tive Larry O'Dea arrested Brown st
Center Market this morning. Both bov.
confessed 10 the robberies. but each rrsa.
70 hx the blame on the other.
Brown says that about a month am
Shorter proposed a housebreakiag mart
nership, saying he had been dofag ws11
al the business. Brown says that Short
er ald the actual stealing, and only ravs
hlm SO Of the entire proceeds.
Iney generally took cash, but in sew
eral instances they stole elothinx "a
tobacco which Was soId to saopks-,.--
is'fh ooys were poorly dressed when
caught. and ncither OF taem had an
money
Studied Movements of Police.
Shorter says he lives on aE.c,,uo..-A
Street. and Brown says his home IS =
1913 Nine-and-a-halr street northwest
They said they had to 90 a great aesI
OF lying TO their parents about tbas-
habits OF staying out late. Cenerallx
they went 10 theater. and after The
performance went out 70 work. In most
cases they ccnhned thei-- attentions "a
one neighbOrhoOd each right. carsful1v
studying the movements CT the police
men and detectives.
According 10 the statement OF The bov,
their outfit consisted OF a dirk a ch5Sst
and a hammer These articles have nor
been found Search was made rbis
morning in the Smithsonian institution
grounds where it was said they were
hidden.
Shorter and Brown probably stole
aooEs $40 during their career OF few
weeks as housebreakers. In several
cases tsey took only q few cents leaving
large sums Of money in drawers not
tampered with At the FisheH store on
Seventh Street, they got $50. and at
Healey's drug store sney secured s2o.
They took several boxes of cigars. whfch
were sold 10 small dealers about the
city, after the boxes were destroyed.
Robbed a Hotel Room.
. The most daring robbery was at the
room OF Mr. and Mrs. Danna at the
National Hotel They entered the room
n the afternoon and got out through the
alley with perhaps SO worth OF clothing.
which was sold for trife-
Brown says that on the night they
robbed a store on B Street northwest q
man came along and asked what they
were doing. and he was told by Brown
that they were stealing He says the
man went to ind a policeman. and they
got away This man has not reported 10
the police.
AT she home Of Mss Marsdea. where
Mrs. Benjamin G. Hiu was killed by her
husband three weeks ago. Shorter took
a suit Of clothes belonging TO a boarder
and put them on there. leaving his old
clothes in the dining room.
Went After Larger Swag.
Shorter and Brown last night after
witnessing a thrilling meI0drama.
started out for larger ~swag-" They
were trying "a get bicycle out OF a coal
bin at the rear Of Neudecker's store
Special Policeman Miles. on his rounds
through the alley. noticed the back gate
open and went 20 investigate. Brown
saw the policeman and made his escape,
but Shorter was caught.
Al thv Sixth precinct station Shorter
was put through a tyro-Ilour and a half
examination by the desk sergeant and
Detective ODea. He admitted nothing
Tor the first hour and a half. but then
admitted entering two stores. He soon
weakened and told of the other places.
Brown made a strong attempt at biuff-
ing when caught by Detective 0'Dea this
morning He denied his name and dis
claimed knowledge OF shorter. and he
did not weaken until examine al the
station. He is more inteliigen, than his