Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-10-10
WEALTHY WOMAN IS
SELF CONFESSED
SNEAK Thief
REMARKABLE CONFESSION
OF MILLIONAIRE WIFE
Series of Crimes Which Puz-
zIed Authorities in Chicago Is
Cleared Up By Capture of
Rich KIeptomaniaC,

Chicago, Ills. Oct, 9.--In remark
able confession to the police tonight
Mrs. Charles j. Romadka Of Milwau-
kee wife of the millionaire manufac-
turer. admitted she was responsible
for a series of burglaries and petty
thefts that baffed the authorities for
many weeks. Mrs. Romadka's CON
fession was the latest development
following her arrest for robbery
committed OF the home of c. r. Beck,
when iewelry valued at more than
81 900 was stolen. She implicated in
her populations a negro, Albert Jones,
and man known as Ralph Smith
The former is under arrest and the
police are searching for the latter. In
her confession Mrs Romadka said her
first theft was committed in April OF
this year. Il saw an advertisement in
the paper" she said, "for a trained
nurse | went to the home of Mrs
David Pfaelzer and secured the posi-
ton. | stayed there about a day ana
a half stealing a diamond ring. dia-
mond bracelet and a silver card case.
After retailing several experiences,
securing positions in the best families
in. the city through advertisements
deliberately walking In
where she found the door standing
open, securing in each case rev
pieces Of iewelry. Mrs. Romadka con-
tinued: "Then | went to Milwaukee
to my home for time. and succeeded
in stealing a sealskin coat from Mrs.
Cady. l shipped the coat to Jones
and he sold It for SIS. | found out
how easy II was to steal while | was
in Milwaukee before coming 20 Chi
cago got a Job as nurse girl and
one dav while the woman was out
noticed she left her jewelry on the
dressing table. This gave me an idea
that / could get positions and steal
iewelry just as easy as not | came
to Chicago last April. | met Jones
and he told me how to do the jobs.
He gave me two trunk keys and
showed me Just how TO get into q
house. would take the stun and
Jones would sell II. | don't know that
he ever stole anything himself"
Attorney J. f. Donovan OF Milwau-
kee. who represents the woman's hus-
band. and who will defend her in
court said Mrs Romadka went to
Milwaukee from Oshkosh when she
was 10 years old. After a short court
ship she married Romadka. the cere-
mOny taking place at oshkosh. Ac-
cording to the attorney the new life
into which her millionaire husband
her. turned the woman's
head After short period of travel
she insisted upon moving either TO
New York or Chicago. After much
opposition her husband permitted her
- come to Chicago. She brought with
her her daughter. then baby and
was kept well supplied with money
by Romadka.
Mrs. Romadka was arrested last
Saturday evening at a down town res
after some tewelry which she
was wearing had been recognized by
Mrs. Beck. wife of the restaurant
Mrs. Romadka at the
time was In company with II. B.
Jackson. a broker OF Chicago, and
Mrs. Finucane Of Milwaukee. The po-
lice were notified, and upon being
Mrs. Romadka declared
the jewelry had been given her by
man whom she know as Ralph
Smith" Mrs. Beck refused to enter
A complaint and Mrs. Romadka was
allowed to return 10 her room at the
hotel. Later, however. she was ar
raigned before Judge Saddler at the
Harrison police court, the case being
for ten days She was re-
leased on bond. Upon Information
secured from Jones after his arrest
last night. Mrs. Romadka was again
taken into custody by the police and
her confession was the result. She is
held tonight at the Harrison street po-
lice station.