New Britain herald., 1915-04-07
PlainVille News BULLETS WH|z CLOSE
 TO FLEEING THIEVES
Constable Fires Four Shots at Men
 Who Stole Metal From Cars.
CAPTURES ONE AFTER LONG CHASE
Michael Tutko Found Hiding in Barn After Eluding Officer-Gets Twenty Day Sentence for Theft-Compan- ion Makes Successful Getaway.

Day Sentence for Theft-Compan-
 ion Makes Successful Getaway.
 After firing four shots from his re- volver at a pair of fleeing junk thieves. Constable Nelson Sucie, who constitutes the police force of Vest wood park, made his first arrest yes- terday when he took into custody Michael Tutko, aged eighteen, who it is alleged is a member of a New Britain gang that has been making a business of stripping trolley cars of metal and selling their plunder to junk dealers The thefts have been committed near the Electric field, where the Connecticut company keeps old cars preparatory to dismantling them.
 |. Tutko who was described by Prosecutor Norton as bold and brazen young thief, was arraigned in court this morning before Justice E. P. Prior and despite his pleas of in- nocence was sentenced to jail for | twenty days. He told his story glib | ly in court and seemingly was not i'll l the least disturbed over his escape | from the pellets from the officers | gun, his subsequent arrest or the 1 probable punishment that would fall to his lot He admitted having given | the police in New Britain some trou- ble and also acknowledged appearing l in court in the Hardware City He stoutly refused to peach on hls asso- | cio otes nd int foin O | know the name of the youngster who accompanied him when the attempt to raid the cars was made yesterday. | Tutko was arrested after a very exciting chase, the pursuing officer l firing at the pair in an attempt to 1 force them to halt. While the bull lets whizzed close to them, the ac- l cused and his companion failed to 1 slacken their pace and they ran in zig gag fashion until they. eluded the | policeman. The officer had seen one of the pair enter a barn on the New Britain road, however, and Tutko s arrest was the result of his search ing the building Displaying his re- yolver, Constable Sucie entered the 1 barn. Tutko was in the hay loft on the second floor, but despite the men acing revolver he refused to surren- 1 der, challenging the officer to come | after him. When the constable climbed to the hay loft. he found | Tutko standing at the aperture wait ing for him. The youngster had taken off one of his shoes and was prepared to use it as weapon should the opportunity present itself He threw up his hands, however, when the officer pointed the pistol at him.
 Sucie took his young prisoner to police headquarters in New Britain, the officers in that city identifying i1im as one of a gang of young loafers who have been causing the authorities trouble for some time. Later in the day the local policeman rounded up another youth, whose description tal- lied with that of Tutkos companion. The prisoner refused to identify him, however, and he was released.
 Tn court today Tutko denied his guilt through Town Clerk R. c. Usher, who was named as his guard ian. He declared that he was gath ering junk at the Stanley Works dumping ground in New Britain when he met a. young man, whom he had associated with in pool rooms. The latter invited him to accompany him to White Oak, where he said more funk could be found. When the pair reached the Electric field. Tutko de- clared his companion asked him to enter an old trolley car that had been on g. siding. He complied, put when he found his friend stripping the car of metal he testified that he said. this is no business for me-" and jumped to the ground. The ohcer put in appearance at this time and fearing that he would be shot, Tutko told the court he decided to run. Justice Prior was advised by the officer that Tuto's father said the boy was no good. He refuses to work and is a confirmed loafer. The boys father suggested that he be locked up when he heard of his arrest.
 Superintendent Beardsley, repre- senting the Connecticut company, was in court to explain regarding numerous complaints concerning the theft of I metal from the cars. He declared the company had been bothered con- siderable and Officer Sucie was detail- | ed to keep watch for the thieves.
 Must Pay $3 A Week.
 Warren B. Roberts, formerly of this place, appeared in the police court in Bristol this morning to answer the charge of failing to support his wife l and their sixteen -months-old child. The case was settled when the ac- cused promised to contribute S3 a week towards food in the sustenance of his family.
 Roberts was married less than two