Los Angeles herald., 1907-11-20
LIFE TERM
FOR ROBBERS
COURTS READY TO GIVE HEAVY
SENTENCE
SAN QUENTIN YAWNs FOR LOCAL
CROOKS
District Attorney and Judges Will See
That Any Robbers Captured
Get the Limit-Llfe
Imprisonment

"The courts are with us and we shall
certainly do all in our power to secure
the limit of sentence in cases of convic-
tions for robbery" City Prosecuting At
torney e. ]. Fleming yesterday made this
firm statement in speaking of the large
number of holdups and burglaries in Los
Angeles during the past fortnight
The limit Of sentence, said Mr.. Fleming,
is life Imprisonment, and that this punish
ment awaits some of the thieves now
making Los Angeles their headquarters
is the firm belief of the prosecuting at
torney, who will prosecute cases against
men charged with robbery under section
218. chapter 4, of the penal code, which
makes robbery punishable by imprison-
ment in the state prison not less than one
year, and may be for life.
Life Sentence for Robbery
IF the thieves now working in this
city, continued Mr. Fleming, believe
they will escape with a years imprison-
ment they will find themselves very much
mistaken. A few life sentences, believe.
will have a good effect and will deter any
who now contemplate career of crime
from taking any such step"
Mr.. Fleming also further advocated the
employment of tried officers to cover dis
LTlCIS OuISlQe LU6 DuSlIleSS pOTtlOIl VI
city.
''These men should be in plain clothes,'
he said, "and should be spread over the
city, outside the business portion. The
uniform of policeman Is a danger signal
to crook, and he is always on the LOOK
out for the star on the officers coat,
which, seen at a great distance at night,
gives the thief plenty of time to escape
With plain clothes men it would be diff
Inc Of mis-
the pursuer of holdup man he could
easily be looked upon as a victim"
Plan May Be Put Through
Chief of Police Kern and Mr.. Fleming
have informally discussed the plan, and
steps have already been taken to carry it
into effect.
One burglary was reported to the police
yesterday, and the activity of the officers
is believed already to have had good
effect. The burglary mentioned occurred
at the home of William Ments, 1878 West
Thirty-ninth street, and that her move
ments are watched by thieves in order
that her house might be entered when shs
leaves is the belief of Mrs. Ments, whose
husband is in San Francisco on business,
leaving his wife and little daughter as the
sole occupants of the place.
Within the past week the Ments house
has been entered twice, and although
nothing, so far as can be ascertained
was stolen the robbers had gathered to-
gether almost all the silverware and 9th er
articles of value, preparatory to carrying
them away.
Last Friday night while Mrs. Ments
was calling at the home of Mrs. J. S.
Bergman, several blocks away thieves
entered her home. piled silverware ami
other things on table, wrapping them up
in such a manner that they would not he
injured and would be easy to carry The
arrival of Mrs. Ments and Mrs. Bergman
evidently frightened the thieves, and they
escaped without taking anything.
Tuesday night Mrs. Ments again went
to visit the Bergman family. leaving her
house securely locked, the windows
fastened. and pet dog in the dining
room to give warning should an intruder
approach.
Not long after her departure thieves en-
tered through an east window, the same
through which entrance had been effected
but few nights previously. The window
was forced open by the use of an iron
wedge used by burglars for this purpose.
Thieves Were Persistent
Again the silverware was piled on the
table wrapped in paper and arranged in
the same manner as on Friday night. The
thieves also ransacked drawers and other
ing money or jewelry. Mrs. Ments has
number of valuable rings but has of late
carried them with her when leaving home,
fearing to leave them in the house be-
cause of the large number of thefts oc
curing recently. 1t is believed the thieves
had knowledge of this jewelry, and their
search was thorough. They overlooked
three gold watches and SIS in money,
hidden in trunk
Mrs. Ments, since Friday, has lived in
fear that her house might be entered,
and when she returned home Tuesday
night examined the windows from the
outside and discovered one open.
Without stopping to investigate she ran
to the home of a neighbor and telephoned
the police. Officers made an examination
of the place, but no clew could be found
to lead to the direction in which the
thieves fled.
Many Suspects Arrested
A number of suspects were arrested yes
terday, but so far the men for whom the
police are earnestly searching have not
been found. One man who is thought to
have been involved in the holdup and
robbery of street car late Tuesday night
is still held for examination.
The river bed district is still receiving
attention. officers Craig and Pautz yes
ferday took to the station from this
locality seven men, captured with some
difficulty This spot the officers say, is
the hiding place of a great number of
undesirable characters. who conceal them
selves in the deep underbrush during the
day and prowl about the outskirts of the
city at night
Should Watch Pool ParIors
Captain of Detectives Paul Ffammer De
Iieves a closer watch should be kept on
pool rooms and other places where idlers
congregate.
while the pool rooms must be regarded
as places of amusement" said Capt
Flammer, 'it is nevertheless fact that
they are the center of idleness, and each
room has it's hangers on, who idle away
their time and will not work even if they
have a chance. The pool rooms should be
cleared of these idlers, as here is found
the inception of many criminal career.
Many Simpl..' Won't Work
1.-THE employment agencies are also a
favorite place for men who are criminally
inclined to idle away their time during
the day. Men gather at these places and
lob after lob is offered to them hut thew