The Covington leader. (Covington, Tenn.) 18??-current, 1920-07-15

lenses and Being Fugitive From
Justice.
We copy the following from the
weekly Commercial Appeal Of Friday
morning:
Frank DeFuccio, % years of age,
was arrested by police yesterday on
charge Of obtaining goods under
false pTetenses and with being fugi
tive from Justice. He is alleged to
have obtained a 5000 diamond ring
from Jake Kahn, Charleston, Miss,
jeweler, and another diamond valued
at about $500 from the Perel- Lewen-
stein Company Of this city.
According 10 Detective Sergeants
Heckle and Peters, DeFuccio, who
claims to be a jeweler from Covington,
Tenn, went several days ago to Jake
Kahn's ieweler store in Charleston,
Miss, and told Mr., Kahn that he
4 wished to purchase a diamond ring.
1t is said that DeFuccio represented
to Mr. Kahn that he was about to he
married and that he desired to give
his bride a diamond, but that he was
/ unable to pay cash for the stone.
After much dickering, according to
the officers, Kahn agreed to sell the
! ring to the supposed groom-to-be for
| 5000 cash, with the balance payable
monthly. DeFuccio is said to have
agreed to these terms and gave Kahn
check for 5000, together with his
verbal promise to pay the remainder
in monthly installments. The officers
say the check was on a Covington,
Tenn, bank and that it was returned
to Kahn with the familiar notation,
insufficient funds"
The Charleston jeweler became sus-
picious of DeFuccio's good intentions
and notified the police department
here to be on the lookout fort man.
Wednesday afternoon, the officers
say, DeFuccio entered the Perel-
Lowenstein store on South Main
street and introduced himself as a
ieweler from Covington. 1t is said
that he told Mr.. Lowenstein that he
had a prospective customer in Mem
phis and that he wanted TO borrow"
diamond to complete the sale. He
declared that he would pay for the
stone as soon as the other man paid
him, indicating that the sale would be
completed just as soon as he could see
the supposed customer.
The Memphis jeweler was finally
convinced that the deal was bona
fide and is said to have "loaned" a
diamond valued at $500 to the reputed
broker. DeFuccio left the store and a
few minutes later Jake Kahn, of
Charleston visited the Perel-Lowen-
stein establishment. Kahn is a GUS
toner Of the Memphis firm, and he
told Of the deal with the alleged pros
pective groom.
Lowenstein, in view Of the descrip-
ton given by Mr. Kahn. became
alarmed over the safety Of his dia-
mond and Immediately notified the
police Shortly afterward DeFuccio
returned to the jewelry store. when he
was confronted with the information
that the check he gave Kahn was re-
turned unpaid He declared there was
some mistake, but Mr.. Lowenstein in
sisted upon the return Of his ring or
$500 in cash.
According to the police. DeFuccio
agreed to get the money and left the
store again. He did not return, but
a friend of his telephoned Mr.. Lowen-
stein and inquired whether the latter
would drop the case if DeFuccio re-
turned the ring. He was advised that
the company would agree to this ar
rangement, and the friend is said to
have made an appointment for l
o'clock yesterday morning.
The police department was advised
of this ARRANGEMENT and Emergency
Officers Shoffner and Rutland were
were sent to the store on South Main
street to await the arrival Of the pair.
Mr.. Lowenstein remained in the store
and the two officers secreted them
selves on the outside. Shortly after
the appointed hour the two men ar
rived and tried to reach an agreement
with Mr.. LOwenstein. it is said. De-
Fuccio could not produce the ring and
is said to have offered his personal
notes, unsecured. IS guarantee of
of the 800. This offer was
refused and DeFuccio was taken into
The officers Yesterday went to the
pawn shop Of M. Lippman and found
that DeFuccio had pawned both Of the
rings there. They were restored to
their rightful owners and Lippman
bore the loss Of the two deals. Over
$500 Of the money secured in the last
deal was recovered Yesterday when
it was learned that DeFuceio had sent
? part IF the money obtained from
The pawnbroker to bank in Coving-
ton This money was turned over to
Linpman.
In addition to the charge of obtain
ing goods under false oretapses. De
Fuccio is also charged with being a
fugitive from Justice. The notice say
-hev have information that he came to
frora Jersey City. N. j., to
,cf IS ''feDreD for iewelry thieves in
hat citv. When he was searched
he officers found pawn checks repre-
innting iawelrv valued at about
'a.tl0a. all II which was pawned IN
Memphis. Lieut.. HoyIe made round
Il tk1 var;n,S shnre last nfpht and Sc