Los Angeles herald., 1910-06-25
DESIREFORC CLOTHES
MAKES HIM FORGER
Youth Is Arrested on Tip Given
Police by Mems Furnish
ing Store
CONFESSES CHECK SWINDLES
Starts Out to Earn Own Living by
Uttering Draft for
$275
C0NFESSES CHECK SWINDLES

Because his father informed him that
he must earn his own livelihood, Fred
b. Hatfield, aged 21, decided on check
passing career, and as a result now oc-
cupies a cell in the county jail, charged
with passing many forged checks
The prisoners father is resident
and land owner of Sierra Madre. Yes
terday morning Fred Hatt1eld entered
the First National bank of Sierra Mad
re and presented a check, purported TO
have been signed by Albert 5. Hoyt'
and made payable to the bearer, In the
sum of 1915. The paying teller, belleV-
ing the check to be genuine palo HAT
field $275.
At noon. yesterday the bank officials
learned that Albert s. Hoyt, the man
whom Hatfield claimed laad Issued the
check to him a few hours previous IS
now on q tour of Japan. The check
was shown to Miss Ruth Hoyt' ana she
informed the bank officials that the
signature was a forgery, she being IA
miliar with her fathers penmanshlp.
The sherlff's office was Immediately
notified, and when shown the check
Sheriff Hammel identified the writing
thereon as similar to that on other
worthless checks turned into MS of1lce
recently.
Hatfield owes his arrest to his un-
governable fondness for fine clothes.
Yesterday morning he appeared IN a
Spring street establishment ana mace
purchases of Clothes the bill totallng
$17240. He filled out a check for that
amount and presented 1t in payment.
AS one of the suits purchased by him
needed alterations, he informed the
clerk that he would, return for his pur-
chase during the afternoon. After he
had left the store the cashier tele-
phoned to the Sierra Madre bank, on
which the check was drawn, ana was
informed that Hatfield had no account
there. -, ,o,
The store manager notified Sheriff
Hammel, and he dispatched Deputy
Sheriff Wright to the clothing store.
The deputy waited there until O'CLOCK
Yesterday afternoon, when messenser
boy put in an appearance ana caleu
for Mr. Hatfield's purchases. Inc Dep
utv disclosed his identity to the lad anu
made him state where the man VINO
had sent him for the package was
awaiting his return. 4
The boy informed Deputy Wright
that a man staying In q lodging mousse
on Seventh street, between Hill ana
olive streets, had sent him for the
clothes. Wright ascertalned what room
the man was in and then raped Tor
abundance. The door was partly
opened, and then the man on the INSIDE
endeavored to close 1t; but Deputy
Wright forced his way in and placed
HATFIELD under arrest.
Hatfield informed Wright that ne
was going to jump out of the WINDOW;
but the officer gave him no chaqGe . anu
toox him to the sheriff's Office. He was
questioned by Sheriff Hammel and un-
der Sheriff Brain, and after hesitatlng
for a few moments finally broke down
and confessed. ...,.
When searched he had over ntty
numher being made out payable to
himself in sums ranging from s. to
Hatfield admitted passing five checks
on various merchants, aggregating the
sum of $129.9O. He also admitted nav
mo snent $1S5 for a watch and ring, but
daS1ied having purchased them for
Woman. The officers believe he has
nassed many checks in this city and
county.