The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-06-07
PART OF BANDIT GANG?
Three Youths Arrested at Rossville
Confess Series of Thefts.

Three Youths Arrested at Rossville
Confess Series of Thefts.
The story of a month of crime is re-
lated in a confession signed by Vester
Mason, 10; Wesley Mason, II, and
John Ebrel, II, who were arrested
Saturday at Rossville after stealing
three motor cars and breaking into a
hardware store Friday night.
Under questioning of Sheriff Hugh
Larimer. Undersheriff Bob Miller and
Deputy Sheriff Oscar Carlson, the
three youths broke down and gave a
signed confession to several robberies
and thefts in addition to those at Silver
Lake Friday night. Officers believe
they may be a part of the gang of
Denver crooks who have been operat-
ing in Kansas, and seven of whom
were arrested last week in Kansas City.
The boys said they left Denver May
20 for the Kansas harvest fields. At
Sterling, Neb., they said they stole a
Chevrolet motor car which they drove
to North Platte where. they abandoned
it and stole a bort, according to their
confession. This they left in nearby
town. Returning to North Platte, they
stole an Oldsmobile, which they said
they drove to Kansas City and aban-
doned June 3.
The boys said that after they left
North Platte. they robbed a general
store at Alma. Neb.. taking five suits,
six shirts. three pairs of overalls, three
new suitcases and several articles of
furnishings. Some of these they sold
to a second hand store in Kansas
City, they said.
On June 2. they said. they broke
into the general store of E. c. Norris
at Valencia. Kan, stealing five pairs
OF shoes, some smoking tobacco, and
a quantity of groceries. They broke
y 1A,f
the car with gas and then entered
another store, taking nothing but some
near beer. they said. They then went
on to Kansas City and rented a room
at 1914 Charlotte street. Last Thurs
day night they came to Topeka and
obtained a room, and Friday night
committed the thefts at Silver Lake.
After entering the j. H. Warner
Hardware store at Silver Lake and
stealing some silverware razors and
pocket knives, they stole a Chalmers
car belonging to Mrs. Emma Richter
ing to their statements to the police.
Two miles west of the town, in at
tempting to turn a corner. they ran the
car into n ditch and broke a front
wheel. Returning to Silver Lake, they
broke the locks on six private garages
in an attempt to get a car. They at
last obtained a Ford belonging to
Chester Behner and started for Ross
Vile. AS soon as report of the rob-
berries reached Topeka, Sheriff Lari-
mer and Miller went to Silver Lake but
were unable to locate the thieves.
Early in the morning they were seen
by a farmer and were arrested by John
Burch. Rossville town marshal. and j.
H. Mariner, night Waterman. They
were brought to '-opeka Saturday aft
ernoon by Miller and Carlson.
Mason had a small caliber revolver
in his possession when arrested, the
officers said. The others were un-
armed.
The three boys violated two federal
statutes as well as several state laws,
according to officers. In entering the
Valencia store they also entered the
postoffice, which is in the store. They
are also subject to prosecution for TAX
ing the Oldsmobile from Nebraska to
Kansas and Missouri. under the new
federal statute making such an act
felony.
1t is probable they will be tried in
the state courts on charges of robbery
and auto stealing and served with a
federal warrant in the event they are
acquitted or paroled, or in event they
do not conduct themselves properly
after they are released from prison.
officers said.