Evening star., 1919-04-23
CRIME WAVE IN D. c.
AT ALARMING STAGE
Street Robberies and Thefts
Not Confined to Any
One Locality.
MEN AND WOMEN VICTIMS

with such fury and has reached such
verious and menacing proportions that
alarm and insecurity is felt by resi-
dents throughout the city.
This fear of 1awlessness, which has
been steadily increasing in the city
during the past few weeks. is not con-
fined to any one locality. Residents in
every section-men as well as women
ARE today expressing grave appre-
hension for their personal safety on
the streets and Of the security of
their personal property.
Each day numerous new acts of vic-
1ence and robberies are being brought
to the atten lion Of the police. Many
Of these crimes have been committed
with much boldness, and with appar-
ent ease and no fear Of arrest. A
number of them have been enacted
during daylight and in sections which
naturally would be considered safe.
Numerous women have been victims.
and several have been cruelty beaten
as well as robbed.
Record of Twenty-Four Hours.
Within the past twenty-four hours
three women have been attacked by
these street desperadoes, the latest
case reported being that of Mrs. Rob-
ert H. Henderson Of the Cadiz apart
ment. us E street southeast. Accord
ing to the story Of her experience, she
man shortly after 10 o'clock last
night, block from her home. She
said she had been out with her sister
tn-law and had separated from her
only few minutes before.
According to her account Of the ex-
1t was a most terrifying one. She
said her assailant made no effort to
rob her of the handbag she carried.
Her statement was that a man
about forty or forty-ive years old,
dressed in dark clothing and wearing
a slouch hat. grabbed her and threw
her to the parking; and in an effort
to save herself further harm she
tried. and thinks she succeeded, to
scratch his face
sons screams brought several per-
sons to her assistance. and that they
pursued the fleeing man into an alley
near Hickman street, where they lost
sight Of him; His pursuers had not
ing. The attack. according to Mrs.
Henderson's report, was Committed
about $50 feet west Of the corner Of
I'd and y streets.
Liberty Loan Workers Robbed.
While performing the patriotic duty
Of boosting the victory loan from 4
liberty booth near Pennsylvania ave-
nue. and 18th street last night. Miss
M Ida F1es1nan; 1872 Kenyon street. and
were robbed Of their handbags con-
tanning small sums of money.
Other recent robberies reported to
the police included the followinGs DR..
j. c. Briscoe. the Farragut. automo-
bile tire and rim. valued at $65; How
ard P. Dixie. 1925 Connecticut avenue.
silver plated dinner bell, worth $40:
Chester A. Stewart OF Brown and
Dyer Shows. 375; Joseph A. Walker,
1894 sth street. bicycle. and Ernest
Harmed, I'LL 1ath street, a skidmobile.
Colored Man Arrested.
William Wimbush. colored man,
about forty years old, who gives his
address as 1906 1st street southeast
has been taken into custody charged
with robbing Mrs. Joseph SmoIinski Of
Forestville. Nd. Monday afternoon,
while she was walking along Penn
sylvania avenue q. short distance be-
yond Twining City. Wimbush. who
was arrested by Sergeants Dent and
Raedy of the Anacostia station, has
since confessed. it is said, and told
the police where to find the watch
which belonged to his victim. The
latter has been recovered.
and robbery, the Anacostia police
learned that Wimbush was in the
vicinity Of Twining City shortly before
Mrs. Smolfnskt was attacked. He had
stopped former policeman on Penn
sylvanta avenue and asked for a match.
Last night he was placed under ar
rest.
This morning Mrs. Smolinski saw
the prisoner and identified him as her
assailant. A charge Of assault and rob-
berry was preferred against him. and
he may be arraigned in Police Court
tomorrow.
81, 700 Diamond Ring Stolen.
A man who proved to be an expert
heavyweight" thief found it an easy
matter to "lift" a se~enteen-hundred-
dollar diamond ring from a tray in the
store Of the Shaw & Brown Company,
lila F street. He appeared in the
store and asked to be shown diamond
rings. His request was complied with.
and shortly after his departure It was
discovered that a cheap ring, set with
an imitation diamond. had been sub
stituted for the genuine article.
"Pennyweiehter" Uncaptured.
The "pennyweighter" has not been
George F. Moss. manager Of the
Standard Store Company. told police
Of an enjoyable time burglars expe-
rienced in the company's store at
Connecticut ans @ avenue venue and Van Ness
in a side W indow was evidence Of the
way the intruders gained access. and
an an inventory ,ns ~. taken * Of the stock
snS csndS sSe wossh 1oss .; sss
Mrs. J. o. Dorroh. 152 A street
northeast, reported that an unfdenti-
ned white man visited her house
there to make Inspections. Shortly
after his departure she discovered
the loss Of a watch. Peter Dulac. a
roomer. was robbed of jewelry valued
Anacostia police were told of a bur-
glary committed in their section
Monday night. Morris Cohen. in
business at 37ol Nichols avenue, said
william Herbert's place of business
at 412 9Th street was visited by burg
Rs.,n3 .ss ss the the pas%I:s:
throuGh a rear window and stealing
q revolver and 40 cents in cash.
George Cotton reported q visit paid tn
Droops music store within the past
ten days by an unidentified person.
Pirates appeared on the river in
sight of the Jail and stole q large
brass whistle and other property
from q boat belonging to T. ]. VII
liams, 7os 7th street southeast. The
theft probably was committed about
the time Of Copeland's escape from
| the jail.