New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-10-28
SEIZED AS THIEF
AFTER II YEARS
Felix Sommerfeld, Villas
Agent Here, Arrested on
Old Indictment.

Felix Sommerfeld, a German by
birth, an agent of General Villa for the
purchase of arms in New York and a
witness in the Federal investigation of
the alleged German plot to harass this
country by aiding Mexican insurgents,
was locked in the Tombs last night on
complaint of Hans Zimmerman, of $50
East Twenty-seventh Street. thinner
man says that Sommerfeld robbed him
Of 1915 in September, 1893, while Som
merfeld was home on furlough from
the Spanish American War. Sommer-
field was arrested BY Detective Joe
Russo, of District Attorney Perkins's
staff, at the Hotel Aston, where he has
occupied an expensive suite for several
months.
Zimmerman, who is real estate
generator. asserts that he took Sommer-
field into his home after the latters ar
rival in New York from Germany bsck
in the '90s, and when the Spanish war
broke out Sommerfeld enlisted. One
dav about September /, 1898. he says,
Sommerfeld returned in uniform ana
said he was on a furlough from a camp
in Huntsville, Ala.
That night, Zimmerman says, he
placed s275 of rent collections IN a
little box under his pillow. The next
morning it was gone, and so was som
merfeld. Zimmerman complained 10
District Attorney asa Bird Gardiner,
and two weeks later Sommerfeld was
indicted. According to Zimmerman, his
protege never showed up again at camp
in Huntsville. and except for his hav-
ing heard Of him in Mexico about two
years ago, Zimmerman did not get
track Of him again until recently
About three weeks ago Zimmerman
saw Sommerfeld's name IN the news,
papers as witness in the federai
Grand Jury inquiry into the alleged
German plot in Mexico. That had It's
beginning in the Rintelen-Meloy pass
port plot and broadened into an inves-
tigation into the relations Of fIaha
Rintelen, intimate friend of Prince
Henry of Prussia, with agents of the
warning Mexican factions in the United
States. One of the agents of Villa who
was believed TO have been approached
was Sommerfeld. His testimony, how
1 ever, showed that he was not implicit
( ed. In testifyng he gave his residence
! as the Hotel Aston. When Zimmerman
( saw that he went to District Attorney
Perkins and had the records Of indict-
ments searched, and new warrant was
I issued for Sommerfeld's arrest
Accompanied by Zimmerman. Detec-
/ tive Russo has been making almost
daily trips 70 the Aston TO get Sommer-
field, but they never found him at home
until late yesterday afternoon. Zim-
norman met him in the lobby and Som
merfeld talked with him. Then Tim
norman introduced Russo, who showed
his badge and the warrant. Sommer-
/ field invited the two up to his suite
which was cluttered with trunks, va
p Uses etc. He called up his lawyer
Everett j. Esseltyn, of Rector Street
who appeared with him before Judge
/ Swami, Of General Sessions, who hxed
bail at 81 900.
The Villa agent was very nervous
and avoided interyiewers. II was stated
that he had been in Mexico fol-. several
years and was chief Of detectives 1oi
President Madero when the latter was
assassinated. He is said 10 have been
instrumental in getting the wire ano
children of the murdered President 70
this country in safety. Since that TIN
he has cast in his lot with GENERA
Villa. He gave his age as thirty-eigh'
and mis- occupation as that OF a mining
operator He is said TO be wealthy