Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-26
EXTORT|ON PLOTS
SEEN IN COUNTY
Parked Motorists Reported
victimized by Band of Black
mail RacketeerS.
BY WILLIAM J. WHEATLEY,
stan Correspondent of The Star.

SILVER SPRING, Md, April 26.-
Prevalence of a band of racketeers in
the metropolitan district of Mont
komery County. who have been prey
ing upon persons found parked in au-
tomobiles in that area, has been dis
closed as result of the investigation
conducted by Montgomery County Po-
liceman Charles Barnes of the local
substation. The man arrested by
Barnes and held here for investigation
was subsequently released, with in
structions to leave the county.
There were two reasons for the re-
lease, it was disclosed. In the first
place there was not sufficient evidence
to prosecute on any charge, and
further, persons who had made reports
of the activities of three men and who
were called to the station to identify
did not show a disposition to prosecute.
However, since the investigation of
Barnes was disclosed in the newspapers,
1t has come to the attention of police
and others in the county, that the
practice of demanding money from
these people on the threat, of exposure
has been widespread in the metro
politan district, and it is not believed
that its working was confined to the
three men who were observed by Off,
Ger Barnes early this week. Barnes
chased the men before they had had
an opportunity to make any overtures.
Some Said to Have Paid.
It has been disclosed by reports sub
seQuently received that business and
professional men of the Capital City
have been sought out as victims of the
badger operators, and it was said that
in some instances the people have paid
the demands of the men. Considerable
Of it has been done in the west metro
politan district. it is said, but the
practice there was not so bold as that
of the band said to be operating in the
territory east of Silver Spring
The practice in the west end, it has
been disclosed, was for the band to go
around and take the numbers OF auto
mobiles found parked on the roadside
and then obtain the names of the own
ers from the registration lists. Suisse
ouently, and usually the following day,
they would call up the individual and
seek money payment on threat of
publicity.
1t was pointed out that the practice
was one OF the safest from the view
point Of the perpetrators, because the
individual concerned in most instances
would not inform the police, and would
not want any matter divulged, whether
the circumstances we're true or not.
Two Report ExtOrtiOn Attempts.
Practically all day yesterday informa-
ton flowed into various Offices in Sill
yer Spring from people who said they
had been victims Of the racketeers.
Two professional men called up friend
in this section yesterday and told of ex-
periences they had had with the band
One of them said that the day follow
ing night he was parked in the west
end he was called on the telephone and
informed as to where his car was
parked, and it was suggested that pub
Lefty was not desirable. He asserted
that large money payment was de-
manded, but that he refused.
On the other hand, it was learned
In other sources that several people
have paid the demands because of the