The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-12-25
Principal Theft of Day Occurs at
Olive Street Store, Where
Windows Are Smashed.
FOLLOWER FULL OF CROOKS.
Chief Kelly Defends Suspect
System" and Many Criminals
Promise Desmond to Leave
the City.

With the exception of one robbery-the
breaking of a plate-glass window and
theft Of several overcoats from Salveter
& Stewards store at Tenth and Olive
streets-the police had few complaints yes
terday up to o'clock at night and Chief
Kfely believes the dragnet he has spread
for crooks is doing its work as desired.
As a result of orders from Chief Kelly
to arrest all suspicious persons. the hold
overs at the various police stations yes
terday morning had more than their quota
of prisoners. Many were taken to the
police courts to answer charges of idling
and the Judges falling in with the spirit
Of the police in their desire to rid the city
of undesirable persons gave to more than
score Of the defendants hours to get out
of the city.
II am determined to put a stop to this
siege Of crime which has troubled us for
a MONTH" said Chief Kiely. I'VE will
arrest all persons known to have a GRIM
inal record and will send them to court.
My men also have orders to lock up all
men who are unable to give satisfactory
accounts of themselves. when they are
we VIII hold them until their records
may be investigated and allow the courts
10 pass upon their cases.
considerable has been said about the
suspect system Of late. / would like to
be informed what a policeman or de-
tecttve is to do II he cannot arrest man
whose actions are not open and above
board and who. when questioned, will not
attempt TO give satisfactory answers?"
1t is not known Just how many over
coats the window smasher at Salveter &
ted just before o'clock and many persons
were on the street at the time, but no po-
iceman was in the vicinity. Chief Kiely
VIII endeayor to ascertain why the police
man who walks that beat was not near
when the robbery occurred.
The thief threw large stone through
the plate glass, and after the fragments
had fallen to the sidewalk reached in and
was unable to say just how many coats
he had put into the window. but 1t is be-
lieved that there were not more than
three. :.
CATCHING CROOKS.
Special Officers Degnan and Greeley Of
the Fifth District were complimented by
their superior officers for the cleverness
Of their work in assisting to rid the city
OF crooks. They have made several i'm
portant captures recently, among them
that of Thomas Eddy, who has been posi-
held up and robbed waiter Bsrnett at
Laclede and Vandeventer avenues, last
Thursday nfght.
Chief Desmond and Superintendent Shea
crooks than any men in the department
recognized old offenders in the Four
courts holdover. and the Chief received
numerous promises from those against
whom no charges are pending to get out
OF town IL released. Chief Desmond agreed
to such an arrangement willingly, and he
believes there Will be an exodus of GRIM
mails in the next few days.
Detectives Michael Cremin and John
F1nan last night arrested at No. 1909 Bel
mont street Wallace Parker, q negre, who,
It is charged. escaped from the Peniten-
tiary at Jefferson City. November 2, 1893
Jim Mack, IS years old, of No. Ills Lin
den street, was arrested at IL o'clock yes
terday morning on a charge Of breaking
into a house at No. 1904 Papin street.
Walter Gaines, negro, makes the charge
against him, and says he caught Mack
breaking into the house.
With 1000 cigars In the station, attaches
Of the Central District hast night had to
purchase their own cigars smoke their
pipes or depend upon the '1copperss from
the beat to supply them.
The cigars were found at Seventh and
Chestnut streets Yesterday morning lying
on the sidewalk, and carried to the -Four
Courts, where 1t Is believed they were
stolen from some transfer wagon or
freight depot.