The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1919-09-07
0. {. OFFICERS THINK
"SOUTHERN OIL TOWNS"
PROTECT AUTO THIEVES
From Yesterdays Oklahomam

From Yesterdays 0klahoman)
Automobile thieves are desertng
Oklahoma City for safer fields of
operation, according to recent police
reports. Jack Thomas and Thomas
Brandon, police officers assigned by
Chief Jerry Smith to recover stolen
automobiles and bring the thieves TO
punishment, assert that at least three
out of every four automobiles stolen
in Oklahoma City during the last
month have been recovered.
According to the official report there
were 10 stolen automobiles recovered
and returned TO their owners last
month. Their total value according
to the owners was S90S4.
There are few joy.riding thieves,
Thomas explained in commencing up
on the comparatively small number
Of automobiles now being reported
stolen. Those who take an automobile
now do so with the idea of selling it
later or stripping it and disposing of
the accessories The young fellow who
used to jump into an automobile and
take a joy-ride, leaving the car undam-
aged in place where it could be cas-
lily found, has learned his lesson. The
fun he had wasn't commensurate with
the penalty he paid when caught, so
he has practically quit the game
W Owners Aid Thieves
But the successor of the joy-rider-
the man who commentaries automo-
bile stealing, works with a cunning
and skill which greatly handcaps the
.t,police officer who is on his trail. The
N(oDlce are further handicapped in ap-
prehending automobile thieves by the
owners Of the cars who are i'm many
cases in actual Collusion with the thief.
The cars of these conniving owners
are always heavily insured against
loss by theft
Ford automobiles constitute by TAR
the majority of cars stolen. In the
last three months l64 Fords have been
stolen in the state Of oklahoma. only
thirty-six of this number We're stolen
in Oklahoma city, and twenty eight
Of these We're recovered.
Protection in Oil Towns
The larger and more conspicuous
makes Of automobiles are generally
recovered, according to Thomas and
Brandon. They hold to the idea most
of the stolen automobiles which have
completely disappeared We're taken TO
the oil fields south Of oklahoma city.
Il certainly believe there some
of those oil towns where automobile
thieves are offered all possible pro
lection for certain considerations "
Thomas said. and he related his own
experience in running down an eN-
pensive automobile ON which $500
reward was offered for its recovery
IL finally located the ear in south
em oil town." Thomas said. The
town marshal justice Of the peace ana
deputy sheriff all refused me their aid
in making the arrest, and even refused
to issue a warrant for the thief !
returned to Oklahoma City and secured
a warrant | was forced to use every
precaution in getting TO my man and
making the arrest, but finally managed
TO get him handcuffed and into the
car | was driving. We weren't i've
miles out of town before ! discovered
we were being rapidly overtaken. The
Nrace started, and with my five mile
,lica, hoat fine pursuing car to
IL noIioe statior in oklahoma City
~, fi.a ,ninrtes after had booked
+na n,isore,. tha other car arrived and
oi,i,sn. rrorninent in the affairs OF
,no oil town vnro in the police ser
-, orr,cn making hail for nv pris
-"
Sociotv womou InyoIycd
rho nu,ns,. of the recovered auto
,,,,,,u, ,,,s , prominent society wo
,non hore according 10 Thomas. anc
FUSED - identifv her own car. The
aa,. oo,.ri,d automobile theft insurance
orno,,n,ing to 81 9oo
- thought [ was up against il then,
1,,ar,as s,id "but tine state highway
ds,artrnent furnished me the number
of the Iicensa tag and the engine mum
hs, of fine car which the woman ha,
,o,o,teJ stolen This engine number
,o5 hasr cbisled AWAY. and both tn,
a,.no,. and nrisoner seemed confiden
, .t,. it,. ,. Ma, nax.