Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-20
BURGLARS
I RANSACK A
y. RESIDENCE
Boldly Break Down
Back Door with
an Ak
Robbers Battle the Police
by Promptness of
Getaway
Thieves Again Invade the Fashionable
Quarter of the City and Get.
Thieves Again Invade the Fashionable
Quarter of the City and Get.
Away with Much VaIu-
able Booty

one OF the most daring robberies re-
ported to the police for months was
committed shortly before o'clock yes-
terday afternoon. Armed With an ak
two rough appearing men smashed
open the rear entrance to the residence
Of A. B. Holson, the real estate dealer
at 200 Flint avenue, in the fashionable
West Adams district.
After thus gaining entrance to the
house the robbers ransacked the place,
turning the mattresses from the beds,
unpacking trunks, pulling out bureau
drawers and leaving the co1-tents scat
tered on the floor. Jewelry valued at
several hundred dollars, $50 in money
and numerous small articles of value
were taken.
One necklace and locket, greatly
priced by Mr.. Holson's laughter, who
is at present visiting with her mother
in Chicago. and which she left at home
for safe keeping, was taken, as well
as several gold band and set rings.
The robbers did not appear satisfied
with the amount of money they found
and searched in all parts of the house
for more. When they failed to find 1t
they vented their spite by -ossing, ar
ticles about and kicking them into cor
ners.
One jewelry case, in which Miss Hol-
son kept a Quantity CT jeYelry was
found lying beneath bed in one of
the rooms 1t had been emptied of its
contents and then kicked to one side
by the robbers.
Little caution was shown by the
thieves in breaking into the house.
George Conklyn, contractor, heard
them smashing the rear door, while
a neighbor of Mr.. Holson also heard
the sound of the ak as it splintered
an entrance into, the house.
About 2 o'clock tYo rough appearing
men were seen by a woman who lives
short distance from Mr.. Holson's res
idence standing on the front porch and
ringing the bell A little later this
woman saw these same two men going
toward the rca. of the house, but she
presumed they were workingmen and
did not mention the fact until after the
robbery had been discovered.
About 2:15 Mr. Conklyn passed the
house on his bicycle. He heard the
sound of an ak splintering through
wood, but supposed The owner, Mr..
Holson, was at home and passed on.
A little later the men weie seen on
the rear porch of the house by another
neighbor, but no attention was paid
to them.
Thieves Leave Hastily
At 2:55 Mr.. Holson accompanied by
his son Dwight, drew up in front of
the house in Mr.. Holson's automobile.
Mr.. Holson remained in tie machine
while his son went to open the door
to the garage. Mr.. Holson then drove
his car to the outbuildi1g and with
his son mounted the rear cps to his
home. Aste did so the shattered door
caught his eye and he knew that bur-
glars had been at work during his abb
sence. With his son Mr. Hoison en-
tered the house and made a hasty
investigation.
The floor in each room was Uttered
with the contents of closets, trunks
and bureau drawers. while here and
there were piled silverware and other
yaluables the robbers had intended
taking with them. The manner in
which these Valuables were left leads
Mr.. Holson to the belief that when
ne arrived at the house the robbers
were still inside and that his coming
frightened them away.
1t is thought the robbers saw Mr..
Holson from the front window when he
drew up in his automobile and when
he passed around to he garage that
they left by the front door
Police Promptly Notified
AS soon as the owner discovered his
house was robbed word was sent to
the police and detectives from the CEN
tral station were detailed on the case.
These officers were amazed at the-dar-
ing shown by the robbers, and after
closely examining the splintered door
and the ransacked rooms, left the prem
lses. Up to o'clock this morning
they made no arrests ana would not
admit they have any clew to the ROD
hers.
The usual system of suppressing the
news was followed in this case by the
police officials They refused to give
out any word of the robbery. claiming
1t would injure their chances OF cap
turing the thieves. This system IS
followed at all times by the police 1t
Is charged that fear that full news
of the robberies and the failure to
make captures viii be given to the
public and contrasted with the work
done under former heads of depart
ments.
II was greatly surprised when | en-
tered the house." said Mr.. Holson last
night. 1.-THE thieves took many ar
ticles of value. but SO far I have been
unable to make up. a complete list,
My wife and daughter are visiting IN
Chicago. They left many articles OF
lewelry behind them of which | did
not know, and 1t will be impossible
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