Evening star., 1924-08-24
EIGHTEEN GYPS|ES
HELD FOR THEFTS
Police Round Up Moving
Bands Following Several
Reports of Stolen Money.

Literally barred from their open
road. Is gypsies slept under police
guard last night. following their cap
ture in the city-wide dragnet cast by
the police after headquarters had
listed three cases OF robbery reports
after visits of gayly-attired bands
to various sections OF the city and
suburbs.
Two Of the Romany folk were men.
eight were women and six were
youngsters varying in age from the
toddling stage to absolute babyhood.
The babies went to sleep at the House
OF Detention with their mothers
grooming native arias to them. The
House Of Detention was given a dash
of color last night by the vivid
dresses and brilliantly tinted scarfs
Of the prisoners.
The prisoners are Joseph Johns. "a.
held at the tenth precinct. charged
with robbery: George Mitchell. Is.
held at the seventh precinct charged
with the same offense; Mary Mitchell.
80 (who has a baby named Rosa), and
Lepa Mitchell. Is, charged with rob-
berry; Rosie Mitchell, % (who has two
youngsters, Louise and Jimmy, and
Annie Mitchell (who has a baby, Joe),
held for investigation; Mary Johns.
35: Garomba Johns, %: Josephine
Johns. 81. and Ann Johns (who has
two youngsters. Lena and Stevie). all
charged with robbery. All prisoners
except the men are at the House of
Detention.
First news of pedatory inclinations Of
gypsy bands came to police during the
afternoon yesterday when vague
rumor trickled in from Seat Pleasant,
Md, anent the theft Of an automobile.
At a later hour last night this rumor
had not been verified. Shortly after
it was first heard. however, three
very definite reports served to put
the police on guard. First, P. J.
Capitol Heights. Md, reported loss OF
$40 following visit by gypsies to
his store. Within half an hour a
party of sypsies had been taken into
custody by Sheriff Fugitt, been ar
raigned and were fined.
Next. Horace l.. Bruner, working at
q gasoline filling station at 1884
Sherman avenue northwest. told po-
lice that Eypsies had paid him q visit
and he was t45 shy when they left.
Next came a similar report from
Nd, stating he had lost $50.
Detective Alligood of headquarters,
cruising on stolen automobile work
in the second precinct, picked up the
Mitchell automobile shortly after a
general alarm had been flashed police
throughout the city to round up
gypsy bands. Detectives Carroll and
Burke took them to the seventh pre-
cinct, where Wilburn was brought to
Identify them. He did. The gypsies
are said to have denied the theft.
Second Roundup Made.
Then, at the tenth precinct, the
Johns tribe members were rounded
up Bruner identified them. and po-
lice state that $45 as found on the
person of Joseph Johns. The gypstes
denied any knowledge Of the theft.
Hearings will be held tomorrow at
the Police Court in the cases charged.
Yesterday was a strenuous day for
some members OF Romany clans.
Scores visited Mount Olivet Cemetery
to attend the ceremonies incident to
replacement Of the headstone on the
grave Of the gypsy queen who was
buried there several months ago.
Through some blunder the headstone
was placed in q way not in accord
ance with Romany ritual 1t had to
be changed.
Police reported that a large en-
campment Of gypsies was located at
Relee. Va. Whether those who fell
in the tolls of the law yesterday
were members OF this camp or pill
grims to Mount Olivet Cemetery was
not ascertained.