The Washington herald., 1909-10-15
CHICAGO BELLBOY
ACCUSED OF THEFT
Arrested in Baltimore While
Selling ReyOlVers.
WASHINGTON POLICE NOTIFIED
Carl johnson Locked I'm First Pre-
cinct Station, Suspected of Rob-
bling Il Street Store of SIX RevOI-
vers Last Wednesday NiEht-Is
but Seventeen Years Old.

Carl Johnson. seventeen years old. a
Chicago benboy. is in cell at the First
precinct station, accused OF committing
one Of the most daring burglaries per
petrated IN the business section Of Wash
ington IN months.
The youth was captured in Baltimore
yesterday afternoon by Detective Brad
ley. and brought to this city by Detec-
tive O'Dea and Evans he refused to
talk OF the robbery. and was reucent
concerning his mode OF living and for
mer places CT residence.
Johnson is charged with hOusebreaking.
The National Sporting Goods Company's
store. at 913 E street northwest, was en-
tered on Wednesday night last. and six
revolvers valued at more than 500. were
stolen The thief OF thieves police have
been unable 20 learn how many persons
were implicated in the robbery used a
galvanized iron gas pipe. eight feet long,
as a crowbar. and pried of several bars
across a rear window.
Valuable Articles Left.
Why the intruders were content with
six revolvers and left more valuable
articles in the store Is mystery 20 de-
tectives who have been investigating the
case. A theory was advanced that a
dangerous exploit was planned by the
thieves. who, it was thought. broke into
the store for the purpose OF obtaining
firearms necessary 70 carry them safely
through
The theft was discovered yesterday
morning about o'clock Hammond c.
Turner, manager OF the firm. notified the
police, and detectives began investigating
The police of Baltimore were informed OF
the robbery and asked 20 cooperate with
the Washington authorities in the appre-
hension Of the culprits.
Shortly after noon Detective Bradley. OF
Baltimore, saw a young man endeavoring
TO sell a blue-steel 4-caliber Colt re-
volver TO a stranger I'm the street. IL Is
alleged. The detective watched the transk
action from a distance. and when he saw
the young man had made the sale, ap-
preached the couple.
What's all this about?" asked Brad
ley
mo trouble here" said the purchaser;
Il am buying a gun from this lad, who
seems to have more than he needs" The
boy laughed, and took a .3S-caliber pearl
handle Smith & Wesson target revolver
from his coat pocket. Then he showed a
.32-caliber automatic weapon Of the latest
model He had a pistol IN nearly every
pocket, the police say, and the load al
most weighed him down.
Similar to stolen Guns.
Bradley was somewhat surprised at the
audacity OF the youth. who seemed 10
have no fear OF being arrested. The de
tective saw the revolvers were similar
TO those which had been stolen in Wash
ington and asked the youth to walk to
police headquarters.
The young prisoner gave his name and
age and said ne lived at 1925 Cleveland
avenue. Burlington. Iowa, before he hit
the road and began hopping bells" He
worked in Chicago for several months.
he ayerred, and came 20 Washington
about a week ago. He declared he knew
nothing about the theft. and therefore,
he said, could not enlighten the police
concerning the number OF persons who
entered the store.