The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-11-30
CAPTURE OF z
EXPECTED TO
CHECK THEFTS
Admission of Leslie Brown
and Ralph Oakley, Negroes,
Clears Up Robberies-Ex-
pect Quick Trial.
BOTH ARE INDICTED

in holding up stores, ticket agents and
citizens Of Richmond made to the
police Wednesday by Brown. it is be
lieved will put an end to long series
Of robberies. Both are negroes.
Oakley was captured Tuesday night
and in his confession admitted that
he operated with Brown. When the
two men faced each other in the
county jail Wednesday. Brown admit
ted that Oakley had told the truth.
Although neither man had been
afraigned late today. it is believed that
both will plead guilty.
Both were indicted by the grand
jury today
Patrolmen have been ordered to
arrest suspicious persons. and resi-
dents are asked TO telephone to the
headquarters if they see loiterers near
their premises.
Changes Statement.
Brown, who was arrested Monday,
admitted having been with Ralph Oak
Icy, in a private conversation with
visitors al the Jail Wednesday,
Earlier. when confronted by Oakley,
and Oakley's signed confession, he
had denied knowing the latte.
Oakley was arrested Tuesday night
ty the police as a suspect. He claims
10 be IS years of age, but officials
think he is older. Oakley's complex
ion is so light that he might easily be
mistaken for a white man.
In his confession. Oakley said he
took part with Brown in the robbery
cf theChesapeake and Ohio railway
station on Oct. 81, and the South
Eighth street car robbery.
Oakley was concerned in a robbery
of Lawall's jewelry store about three
years ago.
Says Wife in Tennessee.
Brown. questioned by the police re-
rarding his wife, who they said. was
at Columbus, O., insisted that she is
in Rockford Tenn.
When Oakley was first brought
from the county Jail. Wednesday Brown
was shown Oakley's signed confession
Oakley was standing near. Brown
was asked if he recognized the other
man. Oakley readily admitted he had
been concerned in holdups with Brown
but the latter refused to recognize the
new arrival at that time.
The signed confessions Of the two
men will be presented to the grand
jury within a day or SO. Sheriff Wad-
man said. In all proba ability the grand
Jury will return indictments charging
highway robbery against both men
The date for their arraignment will
then be set by Judge Bond.
It is believed that there viii be lit
tie delay in trying the two men, Their
confessions and Browns statement
hat he will plead guilty seem to ind
cate that the cases will not remain
uQtried very long.
Not to Fight Case
{. f. Richardson has been retained
a. counsel for Oakley Brown salo
1.a saw no reason for engaging coun
.o1. He expressed entire willingness
10 serve his sentence as soon as pos
aible.
From 10 to 81 years is the sentence
provided for highway robbery in this
state. according to the act passed dur
ing the 1921 session.
Brown has had a varied career, MI
Derous locations were mentioned bl
him in a conversation. Among then
was BIuefield, w Va, where he sait
he registered during the war For ,
time. he said, he had been a pugillSt
81 feel easier in mind today than
have for long time, he said.
knew that this was bound to happen
have been out of work since / came
here in October. | have sold all IN!
clothes and part of the money ! re
ceived in the c. and o. station attal
vent TO pay rent for the house Il
which / was staying
Would Rob Only Rich
.lore " he said Il worked for lltu'
while on the {. and Q. raliroau dn'
also at d local factory. When / go
Teodv tn rob people. ! went out Will
the idea of taking from the rich.
did not want to harm the poor. NJ.
naoDIe are all working people ana
don't want them to know about TINS
That is why / have made no effort Il
get in touch with them.
Brown claims to be something OF
student He said he had wanted abou
TWO more years of education, ant
NAT he was at present making a Stud
NJ the human mind with view to dc
fermininc what made men comml
~ oakley's Confession
The confession of Ralph Oakie
follows: ,i,-
My name is Ralph Oakley Nv
at SIS North Eleventh street. MY %s
IS IS wears. On the night OF Octooe
n. I and Leslie Brown. colored, wer
mt the Chesapeake and ONO depl
about Gas p. m and Leslie Bro"
ut my 32 nickled gun on the ucke
agent and took the money from IN
drawer and from the safe which wa
to the amount of about $177 Brow
and | went down the railroad trac
north 10 the old GaarScott bridge an
divided the money.
Il was alsc out with Brown on IN
night of November p, when we don
the South Eighth street job, by holt
ing I'D the South Eighth street ca
brown gave NE $4,35. | went to th
front of the car and put my gun o
the motorman and Brown put his gu
D on the conductor Brown said he onI
cot about 80, which Brown said h
gave me half of the money. We the
went to South | street, then to Ia
ertv avenue and then up South FIT
Continued on Page Five)