Evening star., 1928-12-27
YOUTH CONFESSES
TO EARLE ROBBERY
Brought Here From Chicago,
Reveals He Is Student
of Psychology.

Elmo William Williams, cool, uncon-
cerned 21-year -old youth, was brought
back to Washington this morning from
Chicago and has confessed to the rob-
berry of the Earle Theater here on
October 90.
Harry e. Lohmeyer, manager of the
theater, who was In the Office when the
bandit walked in, has also identified
Williams. Lohmeyer made the trip to
Chicago with Headquarters Detective
Thomas F. Sweeney and when con-
fronted in Chicago with the man, said
Yes, sure that's he.''
Police say that but $50 was found
in his possession when arrested Monday
night in Chicago. Most of the money
they say, was mailed from here inn
mediately after the robbery to his uncle,
Thomas Williams, in Tampa. Fla.
Headquarters Detective Fl. X. Wilson Is
now on his way to Washington from
the Florida city with the uncle. 1t is
thought when he reaches this city he
will implicate at least one other man
in the handling of the proceeds of the
robbery.
Married Few Days Ago.
The young prisoner was married but
few days ago and says that with his
marriage he had resolved to go straight.
He married clerk in a drug store in
Chicago December 19. His bride did
not accompany him here.
Williams, who is said to be excep-
tionally we'll educated and intelligent,
readily told Detective Sweeney all the
details Of the hold-dp. He said that he
visited the Earle Theater several times
prior to the robbery to learn the physi-
cal situation Of the place and to get
some idea of the size of the haul he
might expect. He went to the theater
twice on Sunday, October %. the day
before the hold-up, he asserted. AL
though declaring that he had no inten-
tion of using the gun which he pointed
at Lohmeyer, he admitted it was
loaded.
The first thing he did after the rob-
berry, Williams said. was to get some
thing to eat. Then he saw to the mail
ing Of the money to Florida.
Student of Psychology.
He knew it would not be necessary
to use his gun in robbing the theater,
he told Sweeney. Coming back on the
train ne revealed the extent of his read
ings to the detective and said that he
was student of psychology and his
studies had made him sure that the
methods he employed in the hold-up
would be effective.
According to Sweeney. the man ad-
mitted that he has pulled off a num-
ber Of other jobs" but never has been
arrested before for anything more seri-
Gus than petty misdemeanorS. Before
ne began his career as a robber, he
told the officer, he made up his mind
he would never shoot any one, and
he never has.
From Washington Williams went to
Pittsburgh. The day after the hold-up
local police learned his identity and
whereabouts. Elaborate plans were
made in the Pennsylvania city for his
apprehension and he was not arrested. it
was revealed, only because of tiff
with a girl whom he had intended tax
ing to the movies. Pittsburgh author
tiles were to seize him as he entered
the theater.
Changes His Plans.
From Pittsburgh he went to New York
and there bought steamship ticket for
Tampa, but learning from some source
that Tampa was hot for him." went
to Montreal, Canada, instead From
there he went to Chicago and was mar
ried.
From time to time his uncle Is said
to have sent him money that had been
entrusted to him. In all 1t amounted
to $1,216, the elder Williams told De-
tective Wilson.
Although it was reported by Lohmeyer
claims that he took only about ST. 500
from the safe Most of the money he
has spent, he declared. He has travelled
and had a. good time, he told Sweeney,
and bought several expensive suits of
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