The Washington times., 1909-08-22
Downfall of Policeman Van
Dever Startles
Comrades.
CAUGHT IN THE ACT
OF ROBBING STORE
Confesses TO Inspectors That He
Has Entered Grocery on Pre-
vious Occasions.

An inordinate greed for saving money
Is set down as the reason for the down
fall OF Policeman Zeth Van Dever. who
sits in moody silence brooding over his
disgrace IN a cell At the Seventh precinct
station TODAY A charge az house
breaking is written against his name on
the biotter and the order suspended"
is marked over his name on the station
house roster.
Caught in the act OF robbing the
grocery store Of n. ". Fisher, Wfseon-
sin avenue ard y streets, BY Inspectors
Boyle and Wilson. Van DeVer gives no
satisfactory account Of his conduct. A
bunch OF keys was found in his pos
session. Most OF them are skeleton
keys with which Inspector Boyle de-
clares he could have gone through the
city of Washington"
The fall Of Van Dever is the principal
topic of conversation IN GeogretoWn To-
dev. Not in twelve years has the Sew
enth precinct been called upon to bear
the disgrace of seeing one Of It's own
rlen charged with being burglar Not
for year has there occurred in George
town case II housebreaidng. except
az Fishers store ana three cases have
been reported from there in the last
week, ali OF which, II is charged by the
pelice, we're the work OF Van Dever.
The policeman states that he has been
saving money since he was appointed
10 the police force three years ago. that
he has a goodiy sum in bank, and that
he iIas a number OF substantial business
men among his friends. Van Dever
seemed proud Of his savings and his
brother officers say saving became a
mania with him lie declares he docs
NOT know why he robbed Fishers store.
He admits going there last night and
On previous occasions.
Fishers store is on the east side Of
Wisconsin avenue, and Van Dever's beat
runs west from she same street, the
store being. therefore, just outside the
limits OF his beat Reports of two rob-
berries were made 10 Major sylvester
and TO the station house during the last
week and under special Instructions ~
the police chief ali the patroImen,
among them Van Dever. were cautioned
10 Look out Tor the thief Inspectors
Boyle ana Wilson happened to be in the
Seventh precinct last night and after
looking over the books in the station
house JUST after the men had gone out
At midnight they strolled down Wis
consin avenue. Nearing n street walk
Ing N the deep shadows, they were sur
pflsed 10 see policeman walk across
tne street and after glancing to Ike
right and left take key out of his
pocket and unlock the door OF a GROCERY
store, which they later recognized as
Fishers
Puzzled BY the policeman'g actions
they took station near the store and
Natched Tor him 10 leave Van Dever,
whom they had recognized, was IN the
store but a snort time and when he
came out and locked the door Il was
noticed that he had something under
ms coat. He retraced his steps across
the street ana started west along \
street, when the inspectors uverhauied
him and asked for an eXpland ton Of his
conduct Van DeVer said ne had nam
that WAS given him early in the evening
and was taking this opportunity TO
carry Il home. He had the ham under
his coat and his home was on y street
near the corner OF Ihirty-third street.
This explanation did not satisfy Inspsc-
tor Boyle. however. and or mis- qUes-
tioning the man further Van Dever ad-
mltted that he had stolen the ham.
The man was marched 10 the station
house stripped OF his badge, revolver
and baton and locked up charged with
houEebreaking. When searched a bunch
oi keys was found in his possession.
van DeNer has been a member OF the
police force since June a, 1906, and most
Of that time ne served in the Seventh
precinct lie has been regarded as an
excellent officer. While a quiet man
not given 10 talking much about him
self mis- brother officers learned from
him that he had served two eniistments
IN the army the last Of which took him
10 Alaska. He was discharged from
the last enlistment while stationed at
Fort Myer and became a member Of the
police force He has a Young wife, but
10 children Mrs Van Deger was
astounded when told Of her husbands
misconduct and would not believe
him guilty His home life has been
very happy. according TO his own and
his wife's account.
j cannot tell YOU why i went there
last night. Van Dever sad this morn
ing, u just went ] cant say anything
about IT,
A case Of robbery by a policeman al
most similar 20 this occurred In the
Seventh precinct about eighteen years
ago. 4 negro policeman was accused
OF the crime which consisted Of stealing
ham from A grocery store at the cor
ner Of Wisconsin avenue and p streets
Just two blocks from WneFe Van DeVer
committed his thefts. Twelve years ago
another policeman was accused Of
househreaking In the same precinct.
7 his man, whose name 81 Pierce was
detailed IL look after houses belonging
20 residents who were away from the
city for the summer. When the peo-
DIE returned 10 their homes they found
Pierce was arrested on the charge but
was released on bond and has never
been heard from since.