Evening star., 1924-03-16
BREAKS WITH WIFE,
TURNS TO BAND|TRY
Man TraiIed by Victim Is
Captured-CarefuIIy Guards
His Identity.

After ostracising himself from his
friends following a breakup with
his wife three months ago, and run
ming the emotional gamut from con-
sideration Of elf-destruction to reck-
less highway robbery, man of mys-
terry, giving his name as Wv. G.
Brown" but admitting that is an
alias, fell into the hands of the po-
lice last night after an admitted
hold-up at the Brockton shoe shop,
near 10th street on Pennsylvania. He
also confessed to an attempted held
up Friday night. which netted moth
ing.
He furnished a character study for
police at the first precinct. Brown
told them he would not reveal his
name and would take the conse-
quences because he wanted to shield
his shame. He spoke with refine
ment; expressed surprise and appre-
citation at the fact that his expected
third degree consisted in being queS-
toned nationally, and that physical
punishment was not visited on him,
and cried when the police brought
him his first meal in twenty-four
hours.
Hold-up Brings Downfall.
The hold-up which brought his
freedom to an end was accomplished
when Meyer Oppenheimer and a clerk
were in the store. He told the story
himself.
yolver at them," Brown" said.
The clerk seemed amenable, but
the proprietor was a bit reluctant.
Neither made trouble"
He got $50 and cautioned the two
men to stay where they were, coupl-
ing this with a threat.
But the proprietor didn't seem to
pay any attention to the warning,
thu prisoner smiled grimly. -.He
went out an dtrailed me and told the
policeman about it,"
That policeman was p. F. Pat
rick of the first precinct, who ranged
alongside OF Brown" before he had
gone a block, took his revolver from
him and sent him to the first precinct.
Lays Claim to Penny.
Brown" requested the police please
to list d penny in his pocket as his
own money. He had been down to
the penny for several days. he said
Hotel until 1t was found he could
not pay his bill. His last meal was
obtained Friday night. the man added.
He admitted an attempted hold-up
Petris, 502 9Th street
There wasn't anything in the cash
register and the man had only 40
cents in his pocket had only a
penny, but I left him keep his money"
the prisoner said.
He declared he got the revolver a
month ago, ito plug myself with"
but that at the time, he still had a
bit of money left and postponed ac-
ton. When he separated from his
a
had used up that money in travel
ing and living between this city and
New York. he declared. When his
money was gone, he decided to take
up banditry.
See Clues I'm SliI,-ups-
Only two slips were made by the
prisoner. The first was regarding his
tion that he could not be identified
anywhere except That break
eventually led Detectives Messer and
Kane and Lieut.. Beckett, who were
questioning him, to obtain an admis-
sion that his war record contained his
fngerprints and Identification marks.
The second break was his temporary
reaction to the discovery of a clipping
from q New York newspaper telling
of the shooting of porter by hold
up man. who was described as being
young and white. He mumbled some
thing then that sounded like Its all
up" but later stated that the reason
he had the clipping was that his In
terest was excited IN the case because
OF it's brutality. Detectives Messer
and Kane already have sent tracers
to New York on the strength of that
clipping.
Guards His Identity.
When it came time to be booked,
Brown" told the police to let his ini-
tials stand for any names they chose.
He declared that he didn't care what
became of him and said he was thank
full that he destroyed all marks of
Identification when he contemplated
suicide, because he didn't want the
word to get back home.
You can appreciate this" he said,
as he walked to the cellroom
The prisoner gave his age as thirty
three years, his occupation as
salesman, no residence. He is about
FIVE feet-eleven inches in height, about
1&0 pounds In weight, has well -chiseled
and regular features, blue eyes and
dark hair.s His clothing had store
marks from Boston.
In the twenty-four years that its
pension system has been in operation
the PennSylyQnio ~.