Los Angeles herald., 1905-07-25
OFFICER FACES
CRIMINAL CHARGE
GAY LIEUTENANT COMES TO
GRIEF
ACCUSED OF GRAND LARCENY
Probably the Last Chapter In the
Strange Career Of Falconer VIII
End With His Trial on
Grave Charge
ACCUSED OF GRAND LARCENY

Another chapter-perhaps the last
was opened yesterday afternoon In the
strange case of S. d. Fallon-Briggs
alias Lieut. A. S. Falconer, when Offi-
Ger Roy L. Allen escorted the alleged
naval oftlcer before Judge Chambers to
be arraigned on the charge Of grand
larceny. Not only did the event begin
a most interesting sequel, but 1t marked
the successful elimination Of one OF
the most skillful and brilliant bits OF
detective work that has been accom-
plished in the history of the local de-
partment.
Patrolman Allen became interested in
the case during the latter part Of May
when Briggs was much before the pub
lie as an injured lieutenant of the
United States engineering department
At that time, officer Allen was con-
WINGED the man was a criminal, but ne
did not begin work on the case until
the federal government imprisoned the
lieutenant" on the charge of imperson-
ating an army officer.
Receiving permission from his super
iors to work on the case in leisure mo-
ments. Allen soon had an over abun-
dance of evidence to convict him of
petit larceny. Then the department de-
tailed Allen on the case regularly.
Secures Evidence
Within two days he secured evidence
that he was sure would convict Briggs
of stealing a satchel containing $3.50
worth of tools, watch and books from
August Anderson, Santa Fe engineer
These things were stolen from Ander-
sons room in the Broxburn at the
corner of Fifth and Hill streets dur
ing his absence from the city in the
latter part of May. Having secured
clear case, Allen went to the federal
authorities, secured their consent to
drop their charge against the man, and
Yesterday when the federal government
released him from the county Jail, Allen
arrested Briggs. Judge Chambers set
the trial for tomorrow, and fixed the
bail at $500.
Lieut.. Ashley Shelby LIE Roy Fa!-
coner'' or Briggs, claiming to be
member of the engineering department
of the United States army, appeared
in Los Angeles May %. That evening
he sent personal notes to the editors
of the various papers giving them an
.'exclusive" tip on an alleged duel be-
tween himself and a prominent San
Francisco attorney in local club. Re-
porters found it difficult to obtain in
formation regarding "Falconer," be-
cause he was reticent and hard of hear
ing. A picture supposedly of him
and his daughters that appeared
proved to be a fake. His supposed
daughter turned out to be the little
daughter of a minister of Tustin.
Accused in San Diego
When these facts came to light an
investigation of "Falconer's" past was
made. May 13, Briggs finished term
of six months imprisonment in San
Diego for stealing a gun and some
gems. There he is said to have posed
as the western representative of the
American Detective association.
From San Diego Briggs came to Los
Angeles. He always wore semi
military uniform and said he was an
army and a naval officer. He often
gained sympathy by the story that his
wife had gone on the stage and left him
and the daughter, who was in con-
vent at San Diego. The picture aided
his story and he was entertained by
some of the best residents of Los An
geles.
After his exposure here he went to
Cotton and was arrested thereby the
federal authorities on the charge of inn
personating an officer of the govern
ment
briggs will be convicted" said officer
Allen. "The evidence that 1 have Sc
cured against him, think, is con-
elusive. There is plenty of evidence
OF smaller offenses, but we prefer to
bring the graver charge"