Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1906-07-02
Confessed Robbery.


John Ennis, a young carpenter of this
city, was arrested yesterday by Officers
K,iebt, Ferguson and Arlington charged
with entering Mr.. R. E. Knights store in
the night and stealing therefrom fountain
mems reyolvers, rszors, knives, &c. The
robbery occurred several weeks ago, since
which time efforts have been made to
identify the thief Suspicion had at
first been centered upon Ennis, as
he had been employed in the enlarge
ment of Mr.. Knights store. Several
month. $50 Ennis was found in the Alex
andria Light Infantry armory at nigot
and was sent TO the grand jury for
allowing himself to be locked in the
building. He was not indicted, and
the case, il is said, was not dropped al
together, but since then his movements
have been watched by the police.
Yesterday morning Ennis, after hav-
ing been approached by the Officers,
confessed that be bad committed the
robbery at Mr.. Knights store and
had disposed of the goods at Hugh l..
Sirider' second hand store in the old
City Hotel building. Later Ennis,
Strider and Robert Benson, Strider's
clerk. we're placed under arrest.
States Attorney 5 G. Brent and Po-
lice Justice Cation subsequently bad a
consultation with Benson at P 'lice head
quarters. and he agreed to show the POI
lice where certain alleged stolen articles
could be found on Strider's pre- misses.
Benson was accompanied to the store by
Policemen Glrvey and Beach, who re-
covered several articles that Ennis claim
oil to have stolen from Mr.. Knight 8
store.
During the day friends of Strider Of
fered TO furnish bail in any amount for
his release, but neither Judge Barley, OF
the Corporation Court, nor Police JUS
sice Cation would consider an application
in the form in which it was presented
Strider and Ennis were arraigned in
the Police Court this morning.
Ennis and Strider were arraigned in
the Police Court at II O'Clock this morn
lag. The accused we're represented by
MT Robinson Moncnre and Common
wealth's Attorney S. G. Brent conducted
the prosecution.
Mr.. r. Y. Knight during the exami-
nation of the case identified goods found
in Eunis's house aud in Strider's store
as his property, and stated that Ennis
nod confessed to the robbery. Mr..
Knight. ia answer to question, said he
had been approached by three residents
who suggested that the case against
Strider could be compromised, and an
offer was made TO reimburse him ior MS
loss.
Robert Benson testified to Strider
hpvipg the stolen goods from Ennis.
EnpiS IN his statement went into all
the details cf the robbery ct the store,
and stated that be had been approached
NV Strider three days after the robbery.
The latter accused him Of TObbing the
store. which Eunis at first denied
Strider suggested that he had better
bring the stuff to his store, as the ponce
suspected him (Ennis) aud would search
his house. On the Saturday following
Ennis said he took pens, knives, pistols.
&c, to Suider who gave him "a.
Srider in his defense denied Ennis s
statement, and said he paid bin Sl.oo
for some articles he brought him.
During the examination Euni', 10 All
swer To Question of the Commonwealth
Attorney. said he had visited a poker
room on the north side of King street,
between Royal and Pitt. lie also gave
.ahe name of the proprietor and those OF
some of the patrons. Ennis was asked
if liquor was sold on the premises. he
said il was not directly sold, but there
was "rake OFF, on every hand, and
uhe money thus realized, he supposed,
paid for the liquor.
Ennis was sent OF TO the grand Jury,
And Slrider was fined 500 and sentenced
10 serve six months in Jail. The latter
noted an appeal. His bail was f1ed at
$1,000. He VIA later released, Mr..
Robt. BalIenger becoming his surely
EMS WAS taken to Jail.