The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1921-08-04
IS ACCUSED
Of SEVERAL
AUTO THEFTS
]. Walter Keller, Pratt Food
Co. Head, Under Arrest
In Chicago
(BULLETIN)
IlkTERhAIloNAe MEMS sERWeEI

"
SPRINGFIELD. Penn, Aug. 4. =
Joseph S. Keller. father Of ]. ". Kell-
er. declared today that reports concern
ing his sons connection with automo-
bile thefts were undoubtedly incorrect.
He insisted that J. Walter had an ex-
.ellent reputation in business and pri-
vate life and that while he frequently
,peculated in second hand automobiles,
they were purchased through a Chica-
go garage.
(BULLETIN.)
CHICAGO, Aug. 4, 400 p. nl.--Ien
charges OF larceny will be made
against Lieut.. Col. J. w. Keller, z~sr
of "A wealthy PhiIad elphia family and
manager of "A half million dollar COM
pany at Hammond, Ind, when he is
booked tomorrow for the alleged
thefts OF automobiles, according TO
operatives of the police d. partnIcnt-
Already the police have recovered
five automobiles said 10 have been
stolen by the alleged "miliionnire
burglar whose supposed nlania for
theft In puxxIing the authorities. They
arc tho trail of the other five.
The police are mystihed today as TO
the whereabouts OF Mrs. Keller. who
Ind been living with her husband In "a
S2,5oO- ycnr suite mt exclusive
hotel. She could not be found and no
one knew where she had gone.
"A bomb was exploded in Hammond
business circles yesterday when il be.
came known that J. y alter Keller,
manager OF the Pratt Products Co. Of
Hammond, had been arrested in Chi
cago, caught in the act of seal ng an
automobile in Grant park. Amazing'
is the only thing they c2uld say. Flat
disbelief was expressed until she eNI-
dence, piling up ease after case
against the man, proved beyond
doubt that there was truth in the
charges.
]. Walter Keller was much respect
ed as a bushes man in this city. His
reputation for integrity was unques-
toned.
a squad of detectives from the auto
section Of the detective bureau made
the arrest. They found Keller in the
act of substituting a wheel Of his own
for the locked steering wheel OF
Ford car. Three other wheels were
found at the Pratt Co. in Hammond
by operatives from the Chicago de-
partment yesterday
Keller is the son of a Philadelphia
millianaire and was employed by his
father at the Hammond plant. He
was a lieutenant colonel during the
war, and before that was a major in
the Pennsylvania State Mounted Po-
lice. He is prominent in club cirlcos
University. lie was mar
riad about year ago to an heiress OF
Mendoza. Ill. He maintained an ex-
vensive suite OF rooms in the Del
Prado hotel in Chicago. and was 4e-
puted to be wealthy in hTs own name.
He steadily maintains his innocence.
The key which unlocked the door to
the mystery was a card found in KEEL
ler's pocket, issued by the Harper
Garage. 564s Harper avenue, Chicago.
this bit OF pasteboard a num-
Der OF the thefts were cleared up and
an opening wedge was made march
will no doubt lead to complete solv-
ng OF his activities. He represent-a
20 the garage man that lie had bought
he cars from strangers
One OF the stolen machines, since
traced to H H. Welsh. 1916 Astor ST.
Chicago. was sold to George St. John
Of Hammond. who later sold the ma
chime 10 Harry J. Rimbach OF the
Hammond police force Rimbach
ooked UP the car and found that 1T
lad been stolen, and Keller was called
10 the station. This was about a
month ago Keller said that lie had
bought the machine from two strang-
srs in Chicago garage who had told
,im a hard luck story. on account
u sisplendid reputation his story
vas believed.
G. ]. sinaons. head OF the prohibi-
ion agents in Hammond was in the
Dom when this interview took place.
md he said at the time that That
nan IS d crook -
AS DR.. Jekyll, Keller was a respect
d business man OF Hammond. an IN
'ited guest in Hammonds homes, well
liked and popular AS Mr. Hyde. he
vas the clever and resourceful auto
-hief-a master crook, according 70
he authorities. 1t is thought that be-
ween nifty and hundred thefts win
'e traced to him before the case is en-
irely cleared up.
Keller has retained wilIiam L.
Reed OF Chicago as his attorney He
Lsserts that ITS all q mistake" His
wife also expresses confidence tn her
husbands innocence. 1t has been the
hought Of some that a sudden kepta-
mania streak may be responsible.
:" W FTY E a