South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-01-04
SHOPLIFTERSA ARE
HELD BY POLICE
Nappanee Girl Says She Was
Taught Tricks of Trade
by Companion.

After teaching Miss Emma Miller.
daughter of A wealthy Nappanee
farmer all of the tricks of the shop
litter. Ralph Jenness, alias Ralph
Kunasz. admitted to the local police
following his arrest here Wednes-
day noon, that he had taken her on
a trip through northern Indiana and
southern Michigan where for six
months they escaped detection and
succeeded in stealing large quanti-
ties of valuable goods.
When Esther Miller, the 2O-year-
old sister of Emma. consented to
take $3.50 for $25 gold and plat
mum ring at one of the pawnshops.
the police were at once put on the
trail. Detective Diver followed her
and hnally discovered her with Jen-
ness. Both were arrested and con-
fession secured from Esther, who
said that she did not know the man
very we'll but that her sister had
been travelling with him.
Girl Well Dressed.
When Emma was arrested at her
room at 21O Lincoln way f., she
was wearing a SIS coat and a $50
silk dress together with other valu-
able wearing apparel found to have
been stolen from the Hudson dry
goods store of Goshen. She had in
her possession about $3.50 worth Of
clothing that she Lad secured from
that single store, all Of which was
returned Thursday morning.
Emma Miller made a complete
confession TO Chief Kuespert of the
detective department. She said that
she had met Jenness about six
months ago when he was here as a
Presbyterian missionary. She said
that he had taught her all of the
tricks of the trade and had then
taken her on an extended trip east
and north. Elkhart, Goshen, Toledo
and Detroit were the principal
places visited. In all of the cities
outside of South Bend they posed
as man and wife. and at all Of the
places stole the most valuable goods
she could get her hands upon.
Jenness, one of the most clever
criminals that has ever visited the
city, admitted that he had taught
the girl TO steal. He denied, how
ever, that ne had ever stolen any
thing and claimed that he taught
the girl to steal fer her own good
that she might not become a pros
titute. He has been married and
divorced and he declares that the
conduct of his wife brought him TO
his present life He said that he had
associated with criminals in the east
in the past year and a half. from
whom he had learned all that he
knew of criminal practice.
Looks Like Minister.
He is just six feet tall and is 81
years old His carriage and dress
help TO create the impression that
he is a clergyman. BY profession
he maintains that ne is an artist.
They had returned from Goshen
where they had stolen the stuff from
the Hudson company the Saturday
before Christmas, and Jenness had
gone to the farm at Nappanee to
see Esther. she begged him for a
ride on his motorcycle and he
brought her to the city When here
he asked her to pawn the ring that
he wore because he said that he
was out of money. Her attempt
brought on the arrest. On his per
son at the time were two gold
ladies' watches, a scarf pin and a
number of other articles of jewelry
of less value.
Though their disposition has not
yet been entirely settled. II is
thought that they will be taken TO
Goshen for trial. In the meantime
the local department is making eff
forts to find whether pr not he has
a record in either the national or
federal bureau Of criminal investi-
cation.