Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-28
H|GHWAYMAN IN TOLLS
Ninth Precinct Policeman
Makes important Arrest.
PRISONER ADMITS GUILT
Rides Bicycle, Wears Badge and
Carries Revolver.
HOLDS UP sTR0LLING COUPLES
Charges Of Robbery and Assault
With a Deadly Weapon-Pro-
gram Of Procedure.
HOLDS UP sTR0LLING COUPLES

Policeman E. L. Greer of the ninth pre-
cinct Is regarded as having distinguished
himself last night by the manner in which
he conducted an investigation and effected
the capture of James Davis. colored,
twenty-six years of age, alleged to have
been implicated in a number of hold
ups In the northeast section Of the city
during the past three months.
1t is charged that Davis frightened sew
eral persons by drawing loaded revolver
on them, and that In one case he actually
fired five shots. Further. it is charged.
he impersonated a policeman. Capt.
Daley was informed. by anonymous let
ter, of the conduct of a colored man in
the northeast section a few days ago.
The writer said the highwayman had
travelled about on bicycle; that he wore
an imitation police badge and carried
revolver.
Davis, whose home is in Ball court near
Massa chusetts avenue and Sd street north
west, admitted to the police, they say. his
guilt in several cases in connection with
which he was identified. Capt. Daley,
Policeman Greer and others spent prac-
tically the entire night pursuing the In
vestigation Of the conduct of Davis. and
recovered his loaded revolver. badge, bi-
cycle and lantern The bicycle is an
Emblem, It's number being 1854. AS the
result of the arrest and subsequent IN
vestigation. the police say. they will pre-
fer charges of highway robbery and as
sault with a deadly weapon against
Davis, who will be measured and photo
graphed before he is taken to the Police
Court for hearing.
Did Not Spare Anybody.
It was not until after Policeman Greer
,aI
of some of the cases in which he had been
implicated. Davis, the police claim. did
not spare anybody who came within his
reach while he was on his hold-up expe-
ditions, although he seems to have made
a speciality of stopping couples walking
about the vicinity of Florida avenue and
the Patterson field. He seems to have
taken care not to accost couples when
other pedestrians were near.
I'm a policeman, he is said to have
stated to more than one couple. exhibiting
his badge and announcing that they were
in arrest.
Fearing trouble, 1T is reported to the po-
lice. some of those who were frightened
parted with money, the only reason hav-
Ing been simply because they were fright
ened. Others who were stopped did not
have money to give. Policeman Greer
was patrolling along Florida avenue last
evening few minutes before O'Clock,
when he noticed Davis moving from the
direction of the Patterson field. 1t was
in the vicinity OF the field. the writer OF
the anonymous letter had stated, that
the colored man might be found. Davis
had his hands in his pockets and his con-
duct was such as to arouse the suspicious
Of the policeman. The colored man made
two stops in the weeds on a lot near Sd
and NJ streets before the policeman con-
cluded to arrest him.
Policeman Asks Questions.
Drawing his revolver and covering the
man. Policeman Greer called: What
are you doing there?"
Nothing but taking OF my Shoes" was
the response.
Davis approached the policeman carry
ing one shoe in his hand. The patrol
wagon was summoned and the prisoner
sent to the station house. Then the po-
liceman procured a candle and made a
search. finding the revolver and the imita-
ton badge. Later the bicycle and Ian
tern were found. The prisoner admitted
ownership Of the weapon. and Wesley
Brock, a colored neighbor OF Davis, said
he had sold 1t to him for 81 and a con-
certina. Emanuel Brown, also a neighbor