South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-06-29
ARREST MAN WHO
CLAIMED TO BE
FEDERAL OFFICER
Police Capture Swindler Who
Held Kangaroo Court
In South Bend.

Arrest Of Dan Idokovich, 542 S.
Scott St, age 25. yesterday after
noon, charged with impersonating a
federal officer in the holding of SO
called kangaroo courts, and extract
ing money from alleged bootleggers
and then letting them go, explains
the source OF stories that have ap
peared in South Bend newspapers
since last Thursdays federal raids,
TO the effect that Prohibition Direc-
tor Orbinson's deputies and agents
had been engaging in that sort of
pastime. Idokovich has confessed
and duplicating three others.
Other stories discrediting the fed
erai authorities by insinuatiOns OF
misconduct are also being investi-
gated and the arrest of Idokovic
may lead 10 other explanations. Fed
eral Prohibition officer Orbison
through his deputy Z. p. Brennan
began an investigation yesterday con-
cerning stories afioat 10 tho dis
credit of the fderal agents. assert
ing that any agent guilty Of the Of
fense mentioned. would be summari-
ly diSchaTsed, and that on the other
hand If the stories are untrue the
government would not allow them
TO go Unrebuked. The United States
oNaAlNo AUhA AtAA bNAAAAAA 40 PAN
htbitiOn enforcement officials.
IdOkovich Taken I'm.
The arrest Of IdOkovich was made
by Asst Chief OF Police Cassidy
and Officers Delinski, Hamilton and
ROczorowski. The trail of the young
masquerade was found Sunday
night and from that time until his
arrest late yesterday evening the po-
lice officers followed MIN, travelling
country roads and city strets until,
weary and dusty from their all
night chase, they appeared in po-
lice court.
With them came Mike VercSig.
who lives seven miles northeast Of
town. Mike was one or the victims
and told the following story:
This man, pointing TO the pris
oner, came out 10 my place at
about $50 o'clock Sunday night. He
said that he was from Indianapolis
and wanted 10 search the house.
told him 10 go ahead and search.
he had a star marked Special Po-
lice, No. 20"
There were three other men
with him. They found rasin in a
waShtub. Idokovich said. Come
with me, and he also wanted &c
take the old man who lives with me
along.
Gives $500.
we went outside and one man
said, You give US $500 and we will
let you go. I was scared and
told him that 1 only had 5000.
offered him that He said ne would
come in the morning for the rest
AT 10 this morning he came. 1
told him 10 meet me at three this
afternoon at the Chaplin Street bank.
Then I thought that he was no
policeman and had him arrested"
After the foregoing statement
IdokoyiCh was asked who were the
others who aided him. He furnished
the names. but they are withheld
by The Ncws-T until their cap
tuTe.
RE stated that they had dri, en- to
the home Of Nercsig IN a machine
belonging To one of mis- companions.
FIe admitted receiving the 5000 and
that ne had flashed the star and
claimed 20 be an officer.
Nercsig then told the police that
there had been q pOcketboOk con-
tanning $40 IN the house and that
IL Vas missing after the search by
the fake officers. IdokoviCh denied
knowledge OF the $50
When searched at the station. $50
was found. part Of which the pris-
oner said was his share of Verc-
siS's 5000 and the rest presumably
taken in the same manner from 9TH
er persons.
Greatly Elated.
Federal officials as well as local
police were greatly elated over the
capture OF IdokoVich The persist
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