Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-07-27
AUTOMOBILE TIRES
PROVE UNDO|NG OF
SUPPOSED THIEVES
Tracked by Louis Klce of Newark
and Another Motor Expert to
Their Homes in Elk Mills.
CAUGHT AT DAYLIGHT BY
CECIL COUNTY SHERIFF

As result Of shrewd detective work
on the part of Lo lis Kloe, owner Of Hill
view farm, Just east Of Newark, and with
the corporation of the Maryla;,1 authori-
ties, three men were taken into custody
at Elk Mills, Md, today whose arrest,
it is believed, solves n problem that has
been annoying residents of Newark and
that vicinity.
The men, who gave their names as
Arthur Pratt and Alvin and Ellis Down
ingham, are particularly charged with
robbing Hillview farm, Newark, early
yesterday morning. A quantity of har-
ness, blankets and other articles were
found in the Pratt barn, according to the
authorities, which tally with those stolen
from Hill view farm
The arrest was made at daylight this
morning by Sheriff Lewis Seth of Cecil
county, Md, with the aid of his brother,
John Seth, who is deputy sheriff They
surprised Pratt and tho DowninEhams,
after first rounding mp the harness,
blankets, etc The arrest was made
without difficulty and was in no way
spectacular After the three men had
been landed in Jail nc Elkton, Sheriff Seth
told Every Evening, over long distance
telephone. that the prisoners admitted
robbing Hilview farm and that tho har
ness and blankets found at Elk Mills
comprised what they had stolen at Newark
yesterday morning. Tho sheriff mott
feel Mr. klee Of his capture, and tho
latter started for Elkton shortly before
noon
The three prisoners are to be arraigrcd
before Magistrate Pratt. in Elkton,
tonight, and, while they arc expected TO
plead guilty, IN view Of the statement
Sheriff Seth says they made to him, today,
they doubtless will be held for the action
Of the grand jury, which meets IN Sep
tember.
According TO tho sheriff. there ia an
other charge against Pratt, that Of oper-
ating an allimohife without license,
These men are said 70 be suspected Of
completely in other denredations around
Elkton and Newark, but no other definite
charge is against them at this time.
kLEE GOOD DETECTIVE.
When MIR klee head Of IIillview farm,
and who is manager for the White Auto
mobile Co. here, returned TO his homo az
Newark yesterday afternoon. he took
with him an expert on tires. Automobile
tracks had been found leading to and
from the barn where the robbery had &C.
CURED YESTERDAY morning. The expert
was able 90 tell exactly what kind Of
tires were on the front and rear wheels
of the car that had been there. He told
Mr. klee il was Ford car and gave m
accurate description Of the tires During
the day inquiry had pointed toward a
possible Maryland clue. and with thu $
thought in mind Mr. klcc went 70 Flkton
and called on Sheriff Seth and together
they figured out that the description OF
the tires tailed with those on Pratt car
Accordingly they went over to the
Pratt farm. which is near Elk Mills, and
saw a car there with tires answering the
description. but rs Pratt was not about
nothing further was done at that time
During the night however. the Sheriff
and his deputy again visited the place and
found Pratt in bed and also the Downing.
hams, who live nearby, and who were stls-
pected of being implicated, and the arrest
OF the three followed.