The Washington herald., 1911-03-01
NEGRO IDENTIFIED
AS HOUSE ROBBER
Persistent Efforts Put Sus-
pect Behind Bars.
RECOGNIZED BY MRS. DAVIS
Not Until He Donned Cap and Old
Trousers, However, Would She Say
that He Was the Man Wanted-Be-
Ifeved Stolen Property Will Be
Located Some Time To-day.

Failure on the part of the police to OBJ
tain Identification of Robert Wilson, a
negro, of 24oO Fifteenth street northwest,
when he was arrested by Policeman
Holmes Monday afternoon on suspicion
OF having been implicated in the robbery
of the apartment of Earle wilfiey, 255C
Fourteenth street northwest, about a
week ago, nearly resulted in the escape
of the suspect. Additional evidence was
procured, however, and Wilson now oc-
cupies cell in the Tenth precinct police
station.
The finding of a cap and a pair of old
trousers brought about the second arrest,
and the police are confident they have
found the man who has been operating
in the northwest section Of the city for
the last two months.
Forced the Lock.
Wilson is alleged to have forced the
lock of the apartment of Mr.. wilhey, and
to have obtained jewelry valued at more
than $50. While in a bedroom ransacking
a bureau drawer, Mrs. John A. Davis, of
14l0 Euclid street northwest, stood in the
street and watched his operations. Mrs
Davis, according to her statement, did
not realize the man was a thief until aft
er he had turned out the light; but after
being convinced he was pilfering in
truder. she notified a policeman who was
standing by.
An investigation followed. and it was
found that the front door lock had been
forced, and the bedroom where the man
had been seen was in disorder Mr. Wifi
ley appeared later and gave the police
a list of the property stolen
While patroling his beat last Monday
Policeman Holmes, who had a descrip-
ton Of the negro, picked him out of
several others in an alley The negro
protested that he was innocent and when
Mrs. Davis arrived at the station for
the purpose of Identifying him, and stated
she did not think he was the man she
had seen, Wilson smiled and with an
4 told you so,' departed.
Policeman Holmes, however, asserted
he had the right man, and il was de-
cided to investigate further. A search
made at the Denver apartment house by
Precinct Detective Weber and Policeman
Morris Collins, where Wilson is employed
revealed the old pair of trousers and cap
Collins was Immediately dispatched to
rearrest Wilson.
For the second time Wilson was taken
to the station house, and Mrs. Davis was
summoned. This time the man was put
IN line with several other negroes, and
again the Identification failed. The sus-
pect was taken to a cell, where he was
made to don the cap and trousers. When
again brought into the presence of Mrs.
Davis in his new attire, he was at once
identified as the man seen in the apart
ment.
He Looked Familiar.
That is the man." Mrs. Davis declared.
There is no doubt now as to his identity.
did not know him until he wore the cap
in which I had seen him that night
Wilson was placed in a cell, and after
several hours confessed, according to the
police, that he was connected with the
but said he was an accomplice
of another negro, Henry Wood. The
police are looking for Wood.
AT the time of the confession, Wilson
also told where majority of the prop
perty stolen from the Wilhey apartment !
could be found. the police say, and it is |
the jewels will be located to-
day.