The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-08-07

SUPPLANTS
OLD GOALS
Repeated Assaults on Private
Stocks Awaken Police to New
est Species of Yeggmen.
By ED DUFFY.

Thieves have found their rain
bow trail"
Police declare that disciples OF
the art of burglary are embarked
on their own path of glory. since
the advent of the Volstead era, and
that they follow that trail with an
avidity which discourages, home
brewers and proud "cellarites."
The Lure of the Pot.
For this rainbow trail leads TO the
modern pot of liquid gold-liquor.
Thus have the modern thieves solved
their high cost of living problem.
Thus have they found a new way to
bring sorrow to the homes of noted
cellars sometimes sellers), and thus
have they become rich to the poverty
of liquor seekers. Alternately thieves.
then bootleggers, these prowlers or
the night have in one hour brought
grief to some one of the District s
many lucky" homes and also JOY 10
q customer"
Whiskey Preferred to Cash.
Detective Lieutenant Caney l..
Plemmons, of 504 Eighth street north
east, who has charge of the headquar-
ters bureau at night, said today:
Thieves prefer whiskey to money.
They will steal liquor in preference to
money. Believe me, if l had whiskey
in my house l would be afraid of it
being stolen any minute. 1t is the
modern goal of thieves; 1t Is the lure
which has taken the place Of valu-
ables. Burglars now always will take
whiskey ahead of cash"
Another policeman said: II would
feel a lot safer with a roll of bills
hanging out of my pocket than with
a bulge on my hip which might indi-
whiskey nowadays. No. sir; these
thieves are wise and they are all look
ing for liquor"
1t is a known fact that the ranks
of crooks have been bolstered in the
past few months, since the liquor
shortage has become more depressing,
by men who steal only whiskey. In
stances have been reported at head
quarters where jewelry was over
looked In the search for something
wet" 'r'. o."
Thefts of more than 500 worth of
liquor We're reported at police head
quarters last night.
One case was that of Paul Pearson.
druggist doing business at 1885
Florida avenue northwest. Pearson
complained at the Eighth precinct
that thieves got into the store base
ment, stealing a good quantity of
Pikesville whiskey being kept for pre-.
scriptions.
Drinking Flagon, Too.
f. b. Berry, of apartment S, 1888
Columbia road northwest, told Tenth
precinct police that one of the liquor
seeking thieves had stolen seven gooo
quarts of Old Jordan whiskey from his
home. He values it at $50. The thief
also removed a box of cigars.
Drinking pitchers" are even being
sought, for the accessories of pre- Vol.
stead days are getting hard to get. Mrs
Lena Coffin, 500 Ninth street north.
west, reported blue drinking pitcher
stolen.
Instances have been cited where the
thieves even invaded the sacred pre-.
cincts OF the police. seeking, and find.
ing, whiskey. A story is told anon,
the police about a captain that had
quart of evidence" in his desk, and
when he returned from a short visit
from his office, the bottle was gone.
At any rate 1t is an acknowledged
fact that the underworld of today is
harboring more whiskey crooks than
any other variety, for the precious
beverages that are prohibited by law
form the pot of gold that awaits the
persevering thief who faithfully fol.
lows his rainbow trail"