Evening star., 1921-05-23
NOULD-BE Thief
IS FATALLY SHOT
John Walters, Now Dead, and
Two Others Attempt to Rob
Reads Drug Store.

John Walters. twenty-nine years
death early today in pistol battle
in which he and two companions ant
Policeman John Scriola OF the nintf
precinct, aided by two others. partici'
pated following the discovery of ar
attempted burglary OF DR.. Charlie:
C.. Reads drug store. at 1lth and /
streets northeast. Walters was killed
while attempting to speed away ir
an automobile after the initial ex-
change of shots.
Arthur Lee Bennett, who lived with
Walters is held for investigation a,
the nintl precinct. He was arrested
when he attempted TO take Walters
place at the steering wheel OF the
ear in an effort to get away. Inc
third man Of the party escaped by
jumping from the machine.
Auto Believed to Have Been stolen.
At about $40 am. an automobile
believed incidentally by the police
to have been stolen from Charles
Turner, 81 9Th street northeast. on
March 14-stopped at the side OF the
cor drug store and three men
stepped out.
Light from nearby lamppost be-
trayed their attempt to break into
the store a Jimmy had already
broken the side window from us
fastenings and entry was being made.
it is believed, when woman
scream interrupted the men. Shots
from a window across the street. be
lieved to have been fired by John IL
Grove, at oOi 11th street followed,
At this juncture Policeman Scrioia
and Special Officer Patrick Sheehan
came up at run on opposite sloes >
Of the street. The machine swerved
ho l..
tempted to speed past Sudden ~
Walters slumped from his driver
seat to the flooc of the car. shot IN
the mouth
Bennett hoped to the seat and took
charge of the car. The third M
summed to the street and took to his
heels Scriola. in the meantime. nad
boarded the automobile and. standing
on the running board. pointed his pistol
at BENEFITS head. The car sped from
G street to H street before stopping.
Bennett was ordered to proceed 10
Casualty Hospital, where Walters was
pronounced dead.
Two RcyOlvers Found In Cnf.
In looking over the machine after
the shooting two .i3 reNoiverS were
found one of them an AUTOMATIC ana
another the old style. ram-rod eJector
type. On the floor OF the rear seat
were ammunition for the pistol. 1our
Virginia tags for the machine.
The Incident early today Is be.
lieved by the police to have furnishsd ed
a clue to other recent robberies. The
store of Awrach & Perl. near 18TH
street and Columbia road. was held
up and robbed Of approximately $3.50
a week ago Sunday morning about
! o'clock by men answering the de-
scription Of the principals OF this
case Several similar robberies are
now being investigated for possible
connection with the present case.
Probing for Evidence.
Mrs. Alma Waters. wife OF the man
who was killed. was questioned at
the ninth precinct this morning. She
married Walters two years ago, and.
1t is believed by the police. was not
aware of the full scope of his activf-
ties Andrew Franklin Lewis. nine
teen years old. of 1851 Broadway.
Brooklyn, stopping with the Walters.
also was questioned today.
The eight baby OF wal
ters died exactly one week ago.
While a policeman was arriving at
the house to notify Mrs. Walters She
was wanted for information as to
her husbands movements messen-
ger also was arriving with flowers
from her parents out of town in
memory Of the death OF the child