The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1906-12-10
Arrest of Young People
Apparently a Mistake
Developments
In Shoplifting
Episode

OAKLAND, Dec. e.-Investi-
/ CATION by the police today failed
to throw any additional light on
the case of shoplifting charged
against Harry Emmons, a stenog-
rapher in the San Francisco Office
of Wells, Fargo & Co.; James
Bullock, a cashier and collector in
the paymaster's department. of the
Santa Fe Railroad. and Miss May
DAILY, San Francisco milliner.
The trio were arrested last night
by Policeman Sill in the Oriental
art and dry goods store of the
Lung Sung Company at 957 Broad
way. after an alleged attempt to make
away with silk kimono and bolt
OF silk
On being interviewed by Detectives
Holland and Feely today both En-
mons and Bullock and Miss DAILY
strenuously denied that they had
made any attempt to steal anything
from the store, and said their arrest
was mistake, the result of an effort
OF stranger, who escaped arrest, to
steal bolt Of silk from the store.
Circumstances seem to bear out their
story, for no stolen goods were found
in the possession Of any of the ac-
cused, except a piece Of silk which
Bullock had over his arm
Although they were questioned
separately by the detectives and since
their arrest have had no opportunity
to communicate with each other all
the prisoners told the same story of
the happenings leading to their arrest
They declare they met by accident in
Oakland and had started to return to
San Francisco together. While pass
ing the store in which they were
arrested the attention OF Miss DAILY
was attracted to some kimonos which
were on display in the window OF the
store.
THIEF BOLTS FOR FREEDOM
She expressed a desire to learn the
prices of the garments. and all three
entered the store and went to the rear.
where the kimonos were hanging One
of the proprietors OF the store was en-
gagged in displaying the silken gar
ments to Miss Daily. who had tried on
several of the kimonos. when a sud-
den commotion near the front OF the
store startled them and they turned
just In time to see a man make a dash
for the door carrying a bolt OF silk
Another of the proprietors OF the store
grappled with the stranger and
wrenched the silk from his grasp but
the would-be thief reached the door
and made his escape in the direction
of Seventh street
Just as the stranger ran from the
! store one OF the Cinnamon blew a Do
lice whistle. and before any of them
realized what was wrong Patrolman
Sill entered the store and placed all
; three under arrest At the time sill
entered the store Bullock had a large
piece Of silk. which he had picked up
to show to Miss DAILY. hanging over his
arm, and this was taken to the Central
police station as evidence against the
accused.
Miss DAILY. as well as Emmons and
, Bullock. declared that she had never
before seen the man. who. after at
, tempting TO steal the silk. ran from
the store and escaped She declared
that neither she nor her companions
had made any attempt to steal any
thing. and did not know. until she
, reached the police station. on what
charge she was arrested When
searched at the station nothing was
found In her possession to incriminate
: her in any theft.
A silk handkerchief. which was found
In the pocket Of an overcoat worn BY
, Emmons at the time OF the arrest was
at first believed TO have been stolen
from the Chinese store. but Emmons
: declared the handkerchief was his own
property and that 1t was in his possess
: sion when he entered the store. His
story was corroborated by Bullock and
4 Miss Daily, both OF whom Informed the
a officers who questioned them that they
had seen the bit OF silk in Emmons'
I overcost before entering the Chinese
store.
ACCUSED ARE WELL KNOWN
r Both Emmons and Bullock are well
: known the former in this city and the
!, latter in san Francisco Emmons for
!. : merly resided in Oakland with his pa
!, ,rents and was educated in the schools