The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1920-01-29
SEATTLE GEM THEFT
NEARING SOLUTION
BELIEVED ORGANIZED GANG OF
BURGLARS ABOUT TO BE
BROKEN UP THERE

SEATTLE, Wash.-Sheriff John
Stringer's deputies today solved the
mystery Of the Keyer diamond rob-
berry, recovered more than $4,000
worth of gems and other jewelry and
closed the net about an alleged gang
of desperate criminals who are said
to have confessed to half a score of
burglaries committed here and in
| Spokane, including the notorious
'stepladder" robberies in this city.
! Five alleged members of the gang
are under arrest. Three of them are
women. One man, believed to have
! been the leader, is now in the peni-
tentiary at Walla Walla, with long
term of Imprisonment ahead of him.
Chance Remark Overheard
A chance remark dropped by the
| gangs woman "fence" in a Second
avenue restaurant two weeks ago was
overheard by R. G. Scott, special in
vestigator for the sheriff's office, and
led to her arrest and the undoing of
the others.
"No, they're Kyer diamonds" Scott
overheard.
The woman, who was engaged in
conversation with a man, Scott had
no doubt referred to the gems taken
from the home of Henry A. Kyer of
the wholesale grocery firm of Angus
tine & Kyer. s
The Kyer residence at 2232 Thir-
teenth avenue north was robbed on
the night of December 12, and about
$4,000 worth of jewels stolen, includ-
ing one ring set with ten diamonds,
set of diamond cuff links, diamond
studs and a diamond studded plat
mum watch.
Woman Shadowed for Days.
Scott shadowed the woman He
followed her to and from her home
and watched her almost constantly
for several days, finally after learn
ing her name, engaging her in conver-
sation. Their acquaintanceship grew
until, he says she told him all about
the Kyer robbery and disclosed the
names of the other alleged principals
connected with it. He. then placed her
under arrest. She gave the name of
Bessie McCurdy 27 years old and un-
married, though she had posed, she
said as the wife of Claud Bragg,
leader Of their gang, for some time.
Taken to the office of Deputy
Prosecutor John M. Carmody, the
young woman is said to have made
a signed confession. admitting that
she had acted as "fence" in disposing
of jewels and other loot taken in
various burglaries.
was sent to Walla Walla, where he
went to Bragg in prison and got
substantiation the girls story.
Bragg was sent to the pententiary
from Spokane two weeks ago for bur-
glary in that city.
More Evidence Obtained.
From Walla Walla Beebe hurried to
Spokane in search of Harold Dahl, a
21-year-old member of Bragg's out
fit, who was said by the girl and
Bragg to have aided the latter in the
robbery of the Kyer home. Dahl,
known to the gang as "Jack," was
to have Kyer's diamond
studs and cuff links and the diamond
studded watch, as well as valuable
furs and fabrics taken in other bur-
ylaries.
Beebe found Dahl in the city Jail
n Spokane, held as suspect. With
lis new evidence, Beebe is said to
nave broken the prisoner down, fore
ng confession of four Spokane bur-
ylaries and six others committed here.
rhe deputy recovered the watch, cuff
inks and studs, with which he re-
urned to Seattle today.
Dahl is to be brought here to face
rial, and with him, probably it is
aid, will be brought two young wo-
nen now held in Spokane for alleged
with the gang. They are
aid to have accompanied Bragg and
Dahl to Spokane from this city short
y after the series of "stepladder" rob
eries committed here more than a
Month ago.