The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-02-17
.RAFFLES VISITS CITY
In AN AUTOMOBILE
Innovation introduced to the
Washington Police.
ENTERS HOUSE OF A. G. BELT
Watched Through a KeyBole by Ser
wants, and Makes His Escape when
They Scream and Run-WOre Stylish
Clothes, Ornamented by q Flower
in the ButtOnh0le of His Coat.

Raffies came 70 Washington IN an auto
mobile, and made his escape. lie wore
fashionable clothes. illuminated with a
big red flower in the buttonhole Of his
coat
/ In Mount Pleasant yesterday afternoon,
/ he caused some excitement when he was
discovered ia the home OF Alvin 9. Belt
a real estate operator. living at 5ll7 Thir-
teenth street northwest. He was chased
two blocks, and escaped in his machine.
/ The police OF the Tenth precinct believe
the man is responsible for number Of
daring robberies committed fl the north
west recently. and are working II an
effort 10 obtain a description Of him Capt.
Harry B. Elliott last night detailed a
/ policeman 70 keep watch in Thirteenth
street. in the vicinity Of the Belt home,
and the members OF the night detail were
instructed 70 look out foi an automobile
containing man acting suspiciously.
Selected His Time.
I The thief - evidently acquainted with
thu movements Of the members Of the Belt
household. as he chose a time 10 enter
the house when Mr. Belt was at his
Offices. Al 1873 G street northwest. and
Mrs. Belt was out with the children Il
vas about 8 O'Clock in the afternoon when
two servants in the kitchen heard foot
steps on the hoor above them
/ knowing Dir. and Mrs Belt and the
children we're out the servants became
| frightened. They closed a door leading
/ into the kitchen. and watched through
the keyhole. IN few minutes a man
walked down the front stairway into the
! reception hall and peered about the
/ place. A negro servant screamed and ran
/ through a rear door. closely followed by
i her companion When IN the rear yard
both cried Thief, Thief. Their which
attracted the neighbo-s
Stanley Simmons. who lives next door.
ran into the street in tine 70 see q man
running down Thirteenth street. Mr.. Sim
mons was followed from his house by q
brother-in-laW. and both gave the cry,
stop thief"
man standing at Thirteenth and Irv-
ing streets heard the cry and started IN
pursuit OF the fugitive. Edward NJ Hall
Of 3112 Thirteenth street. who was walk
( ing in Thirteenth street, attempted 70
stop the man. but he lodged and ran
west in Columbia road
The thief had a start OF some hundret
yards. He ran at fun speed through
Columbia road 70 Fourteenth street Here
he stopped and. TO the surprise OF his
| pursueTS. jumped into an automobile and
drove south IN Fourteenth street, dis.
| appearing II a minute or two.
Was Frightened Away.
The ponce had been notified BY Mr
Belt, who had been told OF the attempted
burglary BY one Of his servants. and Z
i patrol wagon was sent from the Tenth
/ precinct 70 the Belt home. Policeman
High and Driver Walker searched III,
house. but found no trace OF the IN
/ tru6er. except the disarrangement OF
clothing and furniture
Mr. and Mrs Belt arrived home an,
found nothing had been stolen The con
tents Of a bureau in the front room OF
the second floor had been pulled out an,
thrown on the floor, but other bureaus
were undisturbed. which leads 20 the be
lief the thief became aware Of the pres
ence OF the servants before he had tim
70 make thorough search for vaIuahlss
The only description obtained BY III
police IS that OF a tall man, smooth face
well dressed. and wearing flower 81 Ri
? coat lanai