The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-09-14
Sheriff Kiene Believes Moxi-
cans Are Operating Here.
Interest in PreMpinary Trial of
Silk Shoplifters.
TO STEAL CLOTHING
Mexicans Detected in Other
Stores in the City.
Organization Working From
Topeka to Border.

County officers today devoted close
attention to the preliminary trial of
Jose Delgado, charged with completely
in the theft of silk at the Crosby
Frothers' store last Friday, to which
a second Mexican, Jose Lopez, has al
ready entered q plea of guilty in an
apparent effort to assume the entire
burden Of responsibility. The discov-
cry Of a silk dress and other articles
in the house in the Bottoms where
the two men were arrested has con-
WINGED Sheriff L. L. Ktene that the two
men are put part of a band OF Mex
lean thieves who ship their loot from
one part of the country to another
and perhaps clear across the line into
Mexico.
After an extended examination of
witnesses Delgado was bound over to
the district court on a charge Of grand
larceny to stand trial with his COM
panion Lopez. The proceedings were
largely conducted in Spanish with the
aid Of interpreters and there was an
extended skirmish between Radcliffe
Lee, the assistant county attorney who
prosecuted the case, and the Mexican
witnesses who endeavored to estab-
with Lopez was not the one seen in
the store last Friday. His wife, a
comedy young Mexican woman, assert
ed that she and her husband had come
from Ell Paso but twelve days ago and
that he had been at home all Of the
day when the robbery occurred.
Lopez, the armftted thief, swore that
his companion on the day Of the theft
was a stranger to him whom he had
met casually and persuaded to accom-
pany him to the store. His description
of the mysterious man who was not
Delgado was too vague to inspire much
credulity.
When the police raid was made by
Sergeant A. A. Woodland, who cap
tured the stolen goods he found Del
gado attempting to conceal the silk
dress, the proprietorship of which has
not been determined.
In Other Stores, Too.
Today Sheriff Kiene failed, in an in
quiry among the Topeka furnishers OF
women's ready to wear clothing. to
identify the garment; but he picked
up some interesting information
about the two Mexicans under arrest.
He learned that at one of the local
mems clothing stores thA two men had
been caught in the act Of stealing a
tempting to conceal under his coat.
The pair had entered and inquired for
clothing and tried tUl make OF with
the pants while q saleSxnan,s back was
turned. Instead of holding them for
arrest, employees of the store gave
their visitors a thorough drubbing and
let them go.
Descriptions Of the men under arrest
and Of the dress found in their posses
sion will be furnished to police in towns
along the Santa Fe railroad between
here and Ell Paso.
II have no doubt" said Sheriff Kiene
To-Day, that this pair are but members
Of a well organized gang Of Mexican
sneak thieves which works up and
down the Santa Fe clear to the border
We have q good case against them and
I hope their arrest may lead to the de-
lection Of others connected with them
1 believe we have clues which will &C.
complisn something in that direction