The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1920-03-18
THIEVES ENTER
FOUR STORES;
MElTOM.0TT
HEAVIEST LOSERS

Burglars evidently find conditions
in Lakeland very favorable to plying
their trade, as last night they leisure
ly looted several stores in the main
business section, apparently working
unhurriedly and in the full glare of
the electric lights. The principal
sufferer from their activities last
night was the Melton-Ott Clothing
Co., situated on the busiest corner of
the city, and which has been twice
burglarized within ten days. Other
places entered were the City Drug
Store, Warning Grocery Co., and Sun.
beam Store, the Delicatessen, just
across the street from the City Hall,
in which is located police headquar-
ters
On Sunday morning, March Z, La
Mode, which is practically part of the
Nelton-Ott Store. and is under the
same management, was robbed of
several thousand dollars worth of
choice goods. Last nights burglar
was not so ambitious, taking only
about $500 worth, and combining him.
self to the mems side of the stock.
Three suits of clothing, number Of
fine shirts, and some valuable ties
are among the articles missing. The
thief secured nice walrus bag in
which to pack his plumber, the full
extent Of which has not been definite
ly determined
Entrance was effected through a
side door Of the store opening on Ken
lucky avenue, the busiest and best
lighted street in the city The bur-
glar worked methodically, removing
the moulding and freeing a large plate
glass, which he carefully set aside,
then kicked hole in the wire screen
and entered. He did not disturb the
La Mode stock, contenting himself
with robbing the cash register of the
small amount that had been left in
it-ten or eleven dollars.
The City Drug Store, which adjoins
La Mode, was also entered from the
rear, the door being forced with
crowbar. The cash register was rob-
bed Of $3.50, one penny being al
lowed to remain as a nest egg. Nor
rhine and other narcotics to the value
of about 500 are missing, but more
may have been taken. A half-dozen
boxes of stationery are also among
the articles missing. Evidencing that
the visitors felt entirely at their ease.
a pound box of candy was eaten by
them near the front Of the store. The
empty box and the wrappings Of tho
candy strewn on the floor tell the
tale.
Whether these same parties en-
tered the Waring store and the Sun
beam Delicatessen Is a question. Both
Of these stores were enterd from the
alley, and some edibles were taken
from each, but nothing of consider
able value.
The repeated burglaries are caus-
ing the citizens to sit up and take no.
tice. 1t is apparent to everybody
that the police protection at this time
is entirely inadequate, and the people
demand that a better arrangement be
made. This demand 1t Is likely will
be granted by the Commissioners and
the night police force enlarged.
There Is, so far as we can learn
not the slightest clue or theory as to
the perpetrators Of these crimes. W.
r. OFT, of the Melton-Ott Company,
wired Immediately to Jacksonville for
q detective, who 1t is expected will be
on the case very soon, and the city,
1t is understood, will also put detec.
tives on the jcb-Fred Thomas, of
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