Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-11
BAD CHECK MAN IS
ALSO A DESERTER
Chief Sehafer OF East Moline Makes
Important Arrest in Landing
Dimopolis.

Chief T. j. Schafer of the East Mo-
line police department made one Of
the best "pick-ups" in quad-city po-
lice circles recently when he took
Nick Dimopolis in custody yesterday
afte noon The man, according to
word from Fort Riley, Kan, is de-
serter, a charge which he has admit
ted to Chief Schafer, and in addition
was sought in connection with pass
ing Of bogus check in Davenport
and attempts in both Moline and Dav-
export to procure money on worth
less bank drafts He will be turned
over today to the United States army
authorities at Rock Island arsenal to
be dealt with as a deserter, instruc-
tions to that effect having been re-
ceived by wire from the commander
Of the Fort Riley post.
Incidentally the arrest probably
saved Frank L. Coffin, Davenport
tailoring house proprietor, from be
ing heavily mulcted Coffin had al
ready been trimmed for 500 cash and
a suit of clothes valued at $40 and
he had fallen for a clever scheme by
which Dimopolis, it is believed, meant
to obtain a goodly sum Of money at
Collins expense
Yesterday morning Dimopolis, who
had been known to Mr.. Coffin for a
month as Gus Manolas. bought suit
Of blue serge clothing. The suit
came TO $50. Dimoplis changed his
costume in the establishment remoy-
ing a suit of corduroy garments, He
gave Mr. Coffin check for $40. and
the merchant gave him $40 in change.
Worried about the check Mr. Coffin
presented it promptly at the bank
and found ii worthless. He at once
hurried in an auto TO the Davenport.
Rock Island, Moline and East Moline
police stations in turn, explaining the
case and leaving description OF
Manolas or Dimopolis.
Chief Schafer made a search OF the
coffee houses and other places in East
Moline. where he thought the wanted
man might be found but without sue
/ cess. An hour after the visit from
Mr. Coffin the chief was walking along
Fifteenth avenue when he saw ap-
preaching q man somewhat answering
the description OF the mau he sought
When Dimopolis saw the chief be
turned into doorway and pretended
to be lighting cigaret while the Of
4 ficer passed But the chiefs atten-
ton had been attracted by the move
and he questioned the man. Dimopo-
lis was taken to headquarters. Soon
afterward he admitted that he had
+ passed the bogus check to Mr. Coffin
aud he suggested that the tailor be
sent for and requested to bring along
the suit that Dimop0lis had beer
wearing
Then Dimopolis asked that United
States marshal be summoned, eating
that he wanted to tell the whole
thing" He finally told the chief that
he was deserter from the army He
said he enlisted and was sent to d
4 camp in Colorado Later he was
transferred to station in Utah. and
{ for some time he was stationed al
Fort Riley. He was in the hospita
/ corps He deserted. he said, in 'Octo
Der. Telegraphic inquiry at For
Riley brought quick veriiication Of
1 his statements and directions 10 de
liver the man at the nearest army
post.
Search Of the prisoners effects re
! yealed that he. had deposited for col
lection in the State Savings bank o
Moline, in November. a draft for ST.
465 on the States National bank o
Seattle. a banking house. which, +
developed. never existed. He had alst
deposited in Davenport Savings bani
a draft for sl,7S5 on the Miners ant
Merchants bank" of ketchiken, Alas
ka. The bank has not heard from thi
draft, DimOpolis sought to Obtain
cash on both drafts. il is said. bu
was refused, and the drafts we're mere
ly accepted for collection In his eff
fects were blank checks on the Roci
Island Savings bank and on Daven
port banks. He also had Westerl
Union money transfer blanks, and
draft, not completely made out, call
ing for my balance" in the "Old Ma
tional bank of Spokane" This wa
on form of the First National ban
Of Davenport.
II developed from his papers tina
he had laid the foundation for nea
, swindle at the expense Of Mr.. Coffir
Before he LETT the tailor shop he ha
: asked MIR. Coffin to write his nam
and address, explaining that he Nigh
want to look you up some time" TIL
: name and address were written
Mr.. Coffin on the back of blank ban
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