Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-28
EXPERT ON WATCHES
JOHN +. CRoNIE CHARGED WITH
SEVERAL THEFTS

The case of John F. Cronie eighteen
years old. who was arrested yesterday at
ternoon by Detective Fortney and sent to
the second precinct station upon a charge
OF housebreaking, was not called In the
Police Court this morning. and the police
expect to have additional evidence when
the case is called tomorrow morning.
According to the police Henry Preston OF
IS street northwest came home yester-
day afternoon shortly after 1 O'Clock and
caught Cronie searching his house, appar-
entity in an effort to find valuables. On ac-
count OF the youthful appearance OF the
prisoner Preston allowed him to go. but
about half an hour later, It Is stated, he
found the boy again in the house. This
.,me PRESTON sent his son to the second
precinct station to notify the police
When the patrol wagon arrived, with De-
tective Fortney aboard. Cronte, 1t Is stated
wrenched himself loose from Preston's
grasp. and Jumped from the second story
about eighteen feet.
Fortney was just getting out OF the wagon
ana seeing the prisoner fleeing up the street
gave gave chase and captured him after run Of
over SIX squares. The patrol wagon fol-
owed and picked them up. and Cronie, 1t is
stared Fought the detective all the way to
the station house.
Gold Watch and Pawn Ticket
When searched. it is said, the youthful
prisoner had a gold watch in his possession.
besides a Baltimore pawn ticket Later the
watch was taken to police headquarters,
where the police say Pawn Inspector Evans
Identified 1t as the property of H. p Mack
ey OF 319 18th street northwest. According
20 the Information given on the pawn ticket
ticket called for is owned by Clarence e.
James, who resides, 1t IL stated, at 1411
wisconsin avenue northwest.
the police say the boy has been In the
Police Court before and that in each case
when presented the Judges have shown
mercy on account Of his age. According to
a statement which the police say Cronie
made yesterday. he stole the watch first
mentioned from Mr.. Mackey's pocket while
he was at work in the northwest section of
the city recently. The watch belonging to
Mr.. James. according to the police. was
taken from the pocket Of his coat while he
was at work.
A watch was stolen from the home of
Gerrin Cerrone, at So Decatur street north
east. July q. It was valued at IS. and the
police say Cronfe confessed to having taken
this one also.
Other Lost Property Found.
In search of Cronies rooms last night
valuable bracelet and a pair Of cuff but
tons were found. They were referred to
Pawn Inspector Evans, and he stated that
they answered the description. of articles
that were stolen from the bath houses at
Chesapeake Beach July /. At that time
Mrs. George Turner OF Is 4th street north
east lost four rings and q gold bracelet.
valued at over 800. Aubrey B. Witten. 1901
5th street northwest. also lost a hunting case
gold watch. When asked about these arti-
cles this morning Cronie, It Is stated, ad-
mitted to the detectives that he robbed the
bath houses on that occasion and he told
where the missing articles could be found.
The detectives are trying to locate them.
Cronie was taken to police headquarters
this morning and was interviewed by In
spector BoardIhan. Later his picture and
measurements by the Bertillon system were
taken. He will be taken to the Police Court
tomorrow morning. where. 1t is expected.
several cases Of HOUSEKEEPING will be filed
against him.