Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-11-26
GIRL IN AUTO
CHASES WOMAN;
CAUSES ARREST
-PURSUES SUPPOSED THIEF IN
MOTOR CAR
MISS RUTH BEKJN HEROINE OF
EXCITING CAPTURE
Finds Intruder in Her Home, Follows
Her, Summons Policeman and
Has Suspect Taken into
Custody

" RTVING her automobile at speed
that caused spectators to gasp,
~ and in pursuit of a car on which
she believed thief was riding: fol-
lowing the car until the woman alight-
ed. then hurrying for a policeman and
assisting in the capture of the fugitive,
who had entered her own home, Miss
Ruth Bekin. the pretty daughter Of
Mr.. and Mrs. Martin Bekin of 1341
South Figuer@ street, was the heroine
of an exciting episode yesterday.
For the past month persons living
on South Figueroa street have been
annoyed frequently by woman who
acted in a peculiar manner. This wom-
an, who told the police her name was
Rosa Smith and her address the Hotel
Rockwood Eighth and Olive streets
several times visited the Bekin home
Her actions aroused the suspicious of
the family and the members decided
to keep a close watch on her when she
called again.
Judging from the woman's methods
it was believed she was a burglar of
more than ordinary ability. Her sys-
TEN was to walk boldly to the front
door and ring the bell. If anyone ap-
peared she would ask the address of
some person, and usually the name
would be that of someone living in
the neighborhood. On several occa-
sions when she appeared at the Bekin
home she inquired for the address of
Mrs. Mitchell" At other times the
tactics would be varied and the woman
would represent herself as solicitor
for a Woman's magazine, but would
have no copy of the publication to
exhibit.
Walks Boldly In
Yesterday morning the woman
walked up the carriage drive of the
Bekin residence, rang the door bell.
and, not receiving any response, opened
the door and entered the house. Mrs.
Bekin was in the office of her hus-
bands place of business near, by. ana
her father, man more than so years
old, was directing the work of J. G.
Dykstra, a gardener employed oy MT
BeKin. The men were III the frobt
yard planting some flowers. They rec
ognized her as being the same person
who had been annoying the neighbors
by her visits. Believing the door to
be locked they said nothing, but de-
cided to watch and see what happened.
After ringing the bell the woman
waited a short time; tried the door
knob. and, finding the door unlocked,
entered the house. The two men de-
cided to capture her and give her into
custody. Accordingly they approached
the door cautiously, but so intent We're
they on catching the woman that Dyk-
stra failed to notice folded rug IN
the hall and stumbled. This fright
ened the woman, who was heard mov-
ing about Mrs. Bekin's room. Shouting
to the aged man to guard the front
door. Dykstra hurried over to the
warehouse after Mrs. Bekin to notify
her and get assistance.
Escapes from Guard
While he was away the woman
rushed out. of the front door, pushed
the guard from her path and ran across
the street. She went upon the veranda
of George Mitchelps home, 1867 South
Figueroa street, remained there sew
eral minutes. and then hurried away.
Mrs. Bekin appeared and instructed
Dykstra to follow the strange woman
and. when he met policeman, nave
her arrested.
Dykstra hurried after the suspected
thief She boarded an outbound car
and Dykstra did the same.
After riding several blocks the wo-
man alighted, with Dykstra close be-
hind her. At this juncture patrolman
appeared and Dykstra, who speaks En-
giish imperfectly, attempted to explain
fbe circumstances The officer mis-
understood, and before he could grasp
the situation the woman boarded an
inbound car. The patrolman then saw
there was something wrong and fol-
lowed her. but did not place her under
arrest. When he reached Thirteenth
street he alighted leaving the woman
on the car. and called at the Bekih
residence to ascertain the cause of the
trouble.
Mrs. Bekin called her daughter, who
is an expert chauffer, and hurriedly
explaining the situation. Without wait
ing to get her hat the young woman
cranked the big motor car which was
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