New-York tribune., 1903-06-22
REV Ard FOR SLAYER.
Police Think Ahearn's Murderer
Wos a FLozCer Thief.

The authorities Of New Rochelle have taken
prompt action TO down the murderer of Police
man Maurice Ahearn. shot early on Saturday by
a supposed burglar, who was going through
Rochelle Park with a bag his back. The muir
der is the first which has occurred IN the city in
five years and the people are greatly excited over
# On Saturday night the Common Council met
and offered reward of 900 for the capture of the
murderer.
The police do not believe that Angelo Benevento
the Italian who was arrested in Port Chester on
suspicion committed the crime. He was dis
charged late this evening.
The most likely theory the police believe is that
the crime was committed by petty thief For
months complaints have been made by wealthy
residents of New-Rochelle that thieves have been
visiting their lawns and gardens and carrying of
flowers In several cases residents have arisen IN
the morning to find that every flower and bud on
their rose bushes had been cut off and carried
away during the night. There have been many
such robberies in Rochelle Park. and Chief Tim
mons has frequently cautioned his men to look
out for flower thieves there.
The pilferfng Of the flowers is carried almost
exclusively by Italians. who bring them here and
sell them to small dealers The finding of straw
used by florists in packing near the place where
Ahearn was murdered would seem TO indicate that
he had encountered one Of the flower thieves. and
was searching the Gag he carried to see if it con-
tained stolen property, when the man shot him
The policeman probably had his hand in the bag
and was withdra wing the straw, and let 1t fall on
the sidewalk when the death struggle began.
The action of the murderer in shooting the police
man once and then returning after ne han starred
awav and firing three mere bullets into his pros
+ra+e body seems to indicate that he had in mind
the adage dead ren tell no tales" Ahearn, it is
now believed. knew his assaiant. and the latter
was determined make sure of mis- death SO tnat
he would escape punishment
The bloodhound with which Ahearn's friends in
the Knights of Columbus intended to take up the
trail of the murderer did not arrive yesterday, as
Tpr Longest Of Boston. who was to have lent the
dog telegraphed that he could not reach has KEN
nels until to-day. but that he would snip the dog
then surely.
since tbe murder il has rafned almost constantly
in New-Rochelle and Chief Timmons doubts II
the animal can pick up the trail, the footprints
and block having been washed away he Is
anxious however. to employ any expedient that
will result in the capture Of the murderer. and
u,hen the hound arrives the club with which the
diving officer beat his assaant will be put to the
animals nose.
All day the chief and his men followed up re;
norts which came TO them from people who had
seen Italians resembling the description OF me
murderer. They were assisted by Coroner Wlesen-
ployed on lhe "a "a Tiefrct Attorney Young acting
"n 6ebai9 of the Westchester County authorities
The ponce investigated al least @ nan t
reports. of which shed snr & ON 'hs % ID
eRery Italian N home in New Rochelle Mount Yer
non and other Westchestert owns. looking toT an an
all the hospital people IN WeStcRester @ G9ue5 i3e5
asking them 10 be on the LOOKOUT lor an ilI1Ieo
Italian ., - ~r,as5a.. 4, ,he
po-asn Catholjr church OF the BLESSED sacrament
The wealthy residents OF Rochelle Farh are al
appTeciation Of his bravery Many OF them VIII VIII
- T,oiice force will also be present on SATURDAY
night there win be large 1eneG5 as m t1e ARM
strong having given the house for that purpose
The knights of Columbus are arrahgIng 4, rhs t en-
tertainment. and the reeelp'S WIZ &c 1'0N -
ing the murderer