New-York tribune., 1919-02-17
Police Insist Waue
OF Brooklyn Crime
Has Been Suppressed

The Brooklyn police authorities de
clared yesterday that the wave of
crime which has terrorized the bor-
ough during the past week had been
checked.
The first arrest directly connected
with the series of murders. burglaries
and hold-ups was reported late yester-
day afternoon. man who said he
was John MolyneuX, thirty seven years
old, of 153 Division Avenue, a chauf-
feur, was arrested and arragncd in
the Bridge Plaza court, Brooklyn, on >
charge Of homicide. He was charged
with killing Joseph Cannon. thirty
four years old, of 25 Mauier Street. a
bartender, employed at 118 Union Ave-
nue, who was shot at midday Saturday.
Molyneux asked for time to obtain a
lawyer and was held without bail for
an examination on Wednesday by Mag
lstrate Short. His arrest was the ro-
suit of search by Detectives Carroll
and Ferris, of the Stagg Street station.
They obtained scant information Of
him from Miss Catherine Cannon, sis
ter of the murdered man Finally they
located MolyneuX In Manhattan at
Fifty fourth Street and Third Avenue.
Molyneux told the detectives he had
warned Cannon year ago to cease
paying attention to his wife. Cannon
did not heed him, Molyneux said.
1hough or several occasions later he
repeated his warning
he Brooklyn police asccrtaincd that
NJ Molyneux is out on probation for one
year, having been brought to court on
warrant obtained by his wife. Eliza
beth MolvneuX. On November 2 tha
police say, she charged her husband,
according to court records, with hay
ing threatened her because of the at
tentlons Cannon paid to her She fur
thcr charged him with disordcrly con
duct, and when MolyneuX promised not
to molest ms wife he was placed on
probation. Molyneux told the police he
had not been living with his wife for
a year
Magistrate Short praised the work
of the detectives. He said to Molv-
noux: "You are just the type of man
this community wants to rid itself of
Your arrest Immediately after the
crime, from which you made clean
getaway, Is indicative of the efficiency
Of the Detective Bureau. Detectives
Carroll and Ferris deserve commenda
tlon and praise for their clever work"
Catain Of Detectives John J. Cough
Ian, Of the Kings County forces has
laid dragnet for the band of marau
ders and the absence Of crimes from
the police blottcrs yesterday was
looked upon as an indication that many
of the bold ones have run for cover.
Only a few robbcries Of minor i'm
portancc were reported in Manhattan
during the day. The police search for
the perpetrators of recent hold-ups and
has gone forward, and tho
detective forces from all branches arc
working together. Many have ad-
vanced the theory that the startling
of daring "stick-ups" is beng
carried on by an organized band Of
criminals. The theory tnat the crimes
are due to the presence Of returned sol
diers has been discounted by police of
ficials.
- District Attorney Lewis of Kings
County told Tho Tribune Yesterday
that the reign Of crime and lawlcssness
was due simply to inadequate police
protection and not TO incfficicncy of
the men. lie declared that the laying
or these crimes to the soldier element
was not consistent with facts, he had
learned since being District Attorney.
VI think it is a lawcss element that
is taking advantage Of nm opportunity
to prey on the public" Judge Lewis
explained. 81 don't think these crimes
.'an be attributed to returned troops.
In fact, find fewer soldiers figuring
IN crimes thun | did year ago In