The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1915-05-15
BELIEVES Thief
ONE OF GROUP
AT CLEVELAND
Recovery of Bockhoff's Car
May Prove Undo;ng of Or
gained Gang-v-etter Gives
Instructions.

Columbus, O.. police believe that in
the arrest of Jack Gilbert, who con-
fessed to stealing a $4,000 automobile
owned by William Bockhoff, of this
city. they have member of an organ
lied gang of automobile thieves which
makes its headquarters at Cleveland,
Ohio.
Found upon the man when arrested
was letter, mailed at Cleveland and
signed GEORGE" In this letter the
writer stated that he anticipated Gil
berts trip to Richmond would be prof
liable, incidentally remarking that he
did not expect he would be here very
long, which was a correct surmise as
Gilbert was in Richmond just one day,
departing the same evening in Book
hoff's car. The letter concluded with
instructions for Gilbert to drive di-
rectly to Cleveland. or, if it was
deemed unsafe for him to drive into
that city. to leave the car in some
small town near Cleveland
Drives to Cleveland.
Gilbert, however, did not carry out
this order. He went directly to Co.
lumbus and placed the machine in a
dllapidated barn in the south end of
that city. He had fitted up this barn
as garage and during the week
elapsing between the theft of the
Bockhoff car and his arrest. last
Thursday evening, it is apparent that
Gilbert had been using the stolen ma
chine for marauding expeditions. 1t
was on one OF these raids that unkind
fate led him into the clutches of the
iaW-fate Incorporating in the guise
OF a very observing and nervy youth,
the son OF the town marshal of Jeffer-
son. Madison county, Ohio.
Last Wednesday night Gilbert drove
INTO the village of Summerford, in
Madison county, few miles west of
Columbus, and burglarized a general
store, taking clothing and other mer-
chandise. Thursday afternoon he ar
rived IN jefferson and boldly attempt-
ca 10 break into garage to obtain a
tire casing. He was detected by the
son of the marshal who gave chase
headed Off from his automobile Gil
oerI leo across country. the boy in
not pursuit. Finally Gilbert picked up
rock ana threw 1t at his pursuer,
strlklng him squarely in the chest and
knocking him down. The boy, howev-
er. gamely resumed the chase but Gil
w." SuNN1oolul III OulSprlnCln2
him.
The Columbus police were prompt
~ notified and the boy was able to
give such good description of the
thief that the Columbus detectives
Identified him. Three officers were
detailed to go to the house where Gil
bert boarded and await his return. He
arrived about O'Clock Thursday eve
nlng, having attempted to disguise
himself by shaving off his moustache
and putting on eyeglasses. The police
recognized him., however,
Gilbert will be tried on charge of
burglary at Delaware. O., the sheriff
OF Delaware county appearing with an
affidavit against him before the ar
rival Of Chief Goodwin He was want
ed in other Ohio towns to answer sim.
liar charges.
Mr. Bockhoff found his machine at
Jefferson in first-class condition, ey-
cept that the bumper bar was broken
and the car was very dirty. The only
alteration made to the car by Gil
bert was the changing Of Mr.. Book
hoff's initials and substituting his
own. The car had an Ohio license,
which Gilbert says he obtained in Co
lumbus before going to Richmond.
Mr. Bcckhoff arrived in Richmond
with his machine this morning.