The Washington herald., 1913-01-20
DETECTIVE HAS
"SOME' memory
Serg. Kelly Breaks All Records
in Identifying Italian Want
ed for Stealing Horse.
HAS SECOND SIGHT
Joe Verini Marvels at Camera Eye
of Recently Promoted
Sleuth.

Probably the quickest and most effec-
tive alleged criminal identification on
record at police headquarters was made
yesterday afternoon ny Scrgt. Edward
Kelly, acting chief OF detectives, when
he recognized Joe NerIni, alias Nhltc'
alias La Blanche. an Italian arrested on
suspicion rs fugitive hOrsethiet, for
whom a reward had been offered and Tor
whom the police OF a score of cities nave
been searching.
Kelly's Identification of NerinI was
made with unexpected dramatic force
and was so sudden and disconcerting that
the Italian, attacked from an unguarded
quarter. turned pale, broke down ana
confessed Ncrini not only admitted
horesthievery, but confessed TO commit
ting a SIS robbery in Chevy Chase
When a watch, chain, gold cigarette
and cigar holder. revolver. and other
property was purloined from the room
Of Leon Quenrudon, cook at the Chevy
Chase Club. on June ], Joe Nerlnl. an
assistant cook and roommate of Quen-
-udon. suddenly disappeared and thereby
caused himself to be suspected OF the
robbery.
Verini reappeared in Washington about
a fortnight ago and yesterday morning
started work as an assistant cook In a
downtown hotel. Shortly after noon
pfAtNAlNfH q anu t7lAiaA = aiA@AA a.
rested Nerini on a charge OF inyestiga-
tion. In the office of Sergt Kelly at
police headquarters, the detectives Ques-
toned Nerini about the Chevy Chase
Club robbery.
Tells of Stealing Horse.
Theft is a stranger TO me- said
Verin in broken English. Il have never
committed theft. and know nothing
of the robbery at the club.
The prisoner denied charges for more
than an hour. During the questioning
SerGt Kelly did not speak. The acting
chief OF detectives sat looking at the
prisoner. Kelly was trying TO place"
Verini. He mad never before seen the
Italian. Suddenly Kelly arose and walked
into the rogues gallery.
Kelly returned in five minutes. sat
down. and fixed his eyes on Nerini. Sud-
denly Kelly pointed an accusing finger
at Verini and said:
i've got you. You stole a horse in
Charlottesville on the night of Decem-
ber L."
There was silence for a minute. and
then Verini after an effort. spoke:
Yes; I stole the horse. and l did the
job at the club You must have a second
sight. sergeant. You never saw me be-
fore"
After Verini had made a complete con-
fession and told where the stolen prop
erty could be recovered he was removed
10 the First precinct station.
IT was about two weeks ago that Sergt
Kelly read a circular from the chief of
police Of Charlottesville. describing a
horsethief. The thief had stolen a vffiu-
able mare from Prof. W. e. Atwood. a
chemist. The fugitive rode the mare to
Va, and traded her for a drart
horse. getting $40 10 boot" Near
Orange. Va. tho thief sold the draft
horse for s.. The theft and a descrip-
tiOn Of the thief was described in the
circular.
When Kelly read the description he
formed a mental picture OF the thief. and
after studying Nerinis features for an
hour identified the man. There are hun
dreds Of similar circulars read at police
headquarters each month. Kelly WAS
promoted to a sergeant and detailed at
police headquarters only three weeks
ago.