Los Angeles herald., 1906-01-06
CONFESSES To
AERIE ROBBERY
DETECTIVES ARREST THREE
SUSPECTS
One Of the Men In Custody Admits
Theft Of Money From Drawer
Of Secretary Of the
Eagles

John Sullivan, Luther Pedcn and
Alexander Hoag were arrested last |
night by Detectives Hawley and Nc
Kenzie and charged with the robbery
of the secretary's desk in the Eagles
aerie last Wednesday night, when 5000
were taken from the cash drawer.
John Sullivan, who was employed as
janitor at the Eagles hail. has made |
Il complete confession to the detectives
of the theft of the money and says
that he, Peden and Hoag planned the
robbery for several days before |
its execution. Sullivan says that it'll
was done at the suggestion OF Peden
and TIoag and that he readily con-
sented to join them.
The money which was taken from the
drawer of the secretary's desk has
been mostly gambled away at the Ascot
race track. Detectives Hawley and
Mckenzie say that Peden and Hoag
lost every cent they had this year at
the track and the robbery of the
Eagles last Wednesday was for the
purpose of getting enough money to
try to win back their losses
Captured at Race Track
Hoag, who is married man and
lives ut Graham on the Long Beach
Illt, was GdDluIel III inc ASCOI race
track yesterday afternoon. The alleged
robber was dressed in an entirely new
suit of clothes and had new pair of
field glasses strapped to his shoulder.
The man presented the appearance of
a wealthy horse owner
Peden was captured on East Third
street in the room of Paul James, al
friend, but who later proved his inuo-
cenCe. In the room where Peden was
pgntIIrn1 several Df cham
pagne. beer and other liquors, all said
to have been taken from the rooms of
the Eagles hall.
James admitted to the detectives that
all of the fine wines and champagnes
had been presented to him by Peden
and Hoag. Where they first secured
them he did not say, as he claimed he
had asked no questions.
According to Detectives Hawley and
Mckenzie the robbery of the secretary's !
desk in the Eagles aerie was one of
the most carefully planned thefts ever
executed in this city. Sullivan, who
was janitor at the Eagles hall, met
Peden and Hoag several days ago.
Cash Drawer Is Looted
The two men told Sullivan of their
financial embarrassment and asked him |
if he knew of Il way out of it for them. |
Sullivan said that he could think OF
no other scheme than robbing some |
place. The robbery of the secretary's |
desk was suggested to the three men
almost Simultaneously.
Between the three men its was agreed |
that on Wednesday night Sullivan, who
sleeps at the Eagles hall, was to leave |
the door unlocked, and that the three |
men should meet at midnight and break |
into the cash drawer. TO simplify
matters Sullivan admits that he had |
,..l,
should use in prying open the drawer
containing the cash
The following day Sullivan took rooms
with his friend James at an East Third |
srteet lodging house.
On the night of the robbery Sullivan
took some SIT in change from cash |
register and when he entered his room |
with James he remarked to him in a |
casual manner that he never liked TO |
leave the hall knowing that there was
any cash left behind him. James gave
this piece of information to the detec- |
tives yesterday when questioned by |
them.
Innocent Man Arrested
The night previous to the robbery |
man named A. Noschka, a member
of the Eagles order, who came to
this city from San Francisco, had APP
piled to the local aerie for Il room in |
out funds. Owing to Sullivan having |
taken rooms with James, the officials
offered to let him sleep under the stage. |
When the robbery of the secretary's |
desk became known Thursday morning
the secretary at once notified the police |
and Detectives HaWey and Mckenzie |
We're at once detailed to handle the
case. When the detectives arrived
Noschka was still asleep and when he
heard the men moving about in the
building he aWoke, and as soon as the
detectives saw him they placed him
unoer arrest and he was held on sus-
picion.
Noschka was bewildered and after
being detained some time in the de-
tectives office, was released.
When Sullivan came to work next
morning he brought the SIT in change
with him and turned it over to the |
secretary, saying that he found the |
money in the cash register and, think
ing that something might happen,
though it best to take the money home |
with him Tor safe keeping.
Detectives Do Clever Work
The detectives Immediately placed |
him under arrest. According to them |
they took his explanation for the carry |
ing home of the $17 as a stall to cover
up the robbery. Sullivan made a COM
plete confession yesterday, saying that
the removal of the SIT was purely for
the purpose of covering up his connec-
tion with the robbery.
Captain of Detectives Flammer and |
Chief of Police Auble are high in the
praise of the work done by Detectives
Hawley and Mckenzie. Since the rob-
berry of the secretarys desk was first
reported to the office the two detec-
tives have been working on the case,
not having slept once since Wednesday |
night With little information in their
possession they have run down what
they say is one of the cleverest planned |
robberies ever carried out i'm this city.
- 90
cLa....... HaIurahiar La DAHL