The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-08-28
Two Young Men Confess to
Ho1d-Up of Contractor.
Pay Roll of $4,000 Returned to
Ritchie & Ramsey.
HAYNES and WEBB ARE IN JAIL
Webb Returned After Robbery
to Draw His Salary.
Crime Carries Pen Sentence of
From 10 to 21 Years.

Harold Haynes, Zz, OF 500 The
Drive. and Gerald r. webb, FL. of
314 The Drive. were in the county
Jail today awaiting the issuance OF
warrants charging them with first de-
gree robbery in connection with the
hold-up Saturday afternoon of Clar-
ence Ritchie and the theft OF the
Ritchie & Ramsey pay roil amounting
to approximately $4,000.
Following their arrest by the police
Saturday night both young men con-
fessed to Chief Morris Leonard and
Capt. Jesse Hill and later signed writ
ten confessions in the presence OF
County Attorney Veaie. Webb; who
was employed by the contracting
firm, boldly returned after the rob-
berry had been committed and drew his
weeks salary as usual, amounting to
s25.
Haynes Told of Robbery.
Working on the theory that the
Dodge car used in the robbery was a
rented one. the police found that
Haynes had rented one answering its
description. They went to his house.
found the car and placed the youth un-
told the whole story. In the mean
time Mrs. Haynes had told w. S. Han
cock, street commissioner, that it was
his grandson, Webb, who had accom-
panied her husband in the hold-up.
Hancock induced Webb to produce the
stolen money and took him to Clar-
ence Ritchie to return it. At the re-
Quest of Chief Leonard, Hancock then
brought the young man to police
headquarters and turned him over to
the officers.
Webb at first denied any connection
with the robbery. He declared he had
gone out Sixth avenue in the car with
Haynes, then left him. He said he
met him later. quite by accident. near
:: the state hospital; that Haynes told
him he had pulled the job" and asked
him to keep the money for him When
confronted by Haynes written confes-
sion, however, Webb admitted that 1t
was all true. he said he hal remained
in the car because he knew Ritchie
would recognlz him if he entered the
office.
In order to evade suspicion Haynes,
| who had rented the car about $3.50
his wife and baby for a ride, returned
! Immediately after the robbery and
again took them out in the car. while
Webb calmly went back to the office
and drew his pay for the week. Webb,
after confessing his p in the crime,
| declared he had done it 'ali for
| Haynes, who had a wife and baby.
was out of q job and needed the
money" The officers, after extended
| investigation, howeve expr ssed con-
viction that Webb was the brains of
| the deal. The young men stated that
| the hold-up had been plann--. a week
! before and at tnIy intende to stage
it that morning, but were prevented
| because there were so many persons
| present.
Was Bold Robbery.
The robbery was one of the boldest
| ever perpetrated in Topeka and prob
| ably there was never one handled by
the police department in a more mas
terry way. The rapidity with which
| the officers worked resulted in
Haynes being in Jail three hours after
| the incident occurred. and Webb was
in custody only a, short time later.
| Two other men picked up on suspi-
, cion were released. County Attorney
| Veale paid Chief Leonard and Cap
| tain Hill a high tribute for the way
| il which they handled the case.
while it is fact we were on the
job Chief Leonard said, every man
who worked on the case deserves
credit. for doing his level best. The
| boys all worked hard. They showed
a fine spirit of cooperation, such as 1t
takes to make an efficient depart
ment."
First degree robbery under the
Kansas statutes carries with it a PEN
atty of from ten to twenty-one years in
the penitentiary. 1t was the consen-
sus of opinion among the officers that
Haynes and Webb will waive trial
a nd nj t1riltv