Evening star., 1932-11-14
ROBBERY ATTEMPT
FA|LS;FOUR SEIZED
Series of HoId-upS and Bur-
gIarieS Accompany First
Cold Wave of Autumn.

The onslaught of cold weather yes
terday brought an epidemic Of hold-upS
and burglaries in its wake that kept
police throughout the city on the jump
last night.
Five robberies in which violence was
used and an attempted hold-up were
reported, together with wave of
thefts and housebreakings.
The attempted hold-up occurred in
broad daylight, shortly after noon yes
terday. Benjamin F. Burch, 6609 First
street, collector for the Lord Balti-
more Filling Stations, was mounting the
stairs to the company's Offices at 133
Pennsylvania avenue with several thou
sand dollars when he was set upon by
four young white men, who attempted
to wreSt from him a brief case con-
tanning the money. He said they ap-
peared unarmed.
Two Men Captured.
Burch tried to fight the men of and
at the same time shouted for help. A
were attracted by his calls and grappled
with the attackers. AL but one, how
ever, managed to run.
Policeman w. E. Riley Of the park
police force was passing when the ban
dts dashed from the building. He gave
chase and as the fugitives ran through
the Botanic Gardens he opened fire.
No one was hit. AS First street and
Maryland avenue southwest he over
took one Of the men and placed him
under arrest. The man gave his name
as John Villa Guy, 25, of the 900 block
Of Virginia avenue southwest. The one
captured at the scene Of the attempted
hold-up was James W. Howard, "a, of
hlnoly ~ n
Working on information obtained
from the two prisoners, Riley and Po-
ncemen w. j. Matthews and j. r. Birch
of the first precinct arrested Charles
Wilson Blalock, 81, Of the 1900 block
of N street, and James Vissilla, 25, of
the 1400 block of Twelfth street. All
four men are said by police to have
been identified by Burch as his assail-
ants Three other men also were
arrested, but later we're released.
Burch has been held up en- several
previous occasions, police said.
Samuel G. Hudson, manager Of the
Standard OH Co. filling station at New
York and New Jersey avenues, was held
up at pistol point last night by two
young white men and robbed Of $33
Police quote Hudson as saying that
the two bandits came to the filling sta
asked permission to use the wash room
When they emerged one held a gun in
his hand and, pointing it at Hudson,
who was sitting at his desk, demanded
his money.
A story of being forced into his car
by three colored men, made TO drive to
Sixteenth street and Sheriff. drive, and
there beaten with a lead pipe and
robbed Of S24, was told police yesterday
by James Gehrmann, 81, of the 1900
block Of Monroe street.
Held up at the point of gun, Roman
Yaco, 420 Seventh street southwest,
proprietor of the Yaco Emporium, a
grocery store at 1243 H street north
east, was robbed of SIT about o'clock
this morning by two colored men at
Seventh street and Virginia avenue
southwest.
Two Taxi Drivers Robbed.
Another pair Of colored men are
thought by police to be responsible for
two taxicab hold-ups last night.
Payton Grimsley, 25, Of the $500
block Of Fourteenth street, was robbed
of $3.50. Louis F. Provinc of the 400
block Of H street northeast was robbed
Of $3.50.
TWO dentists reported to police last
night that their offices were entered
over the week end and gold valued at
more than $500 stolen.
The Office Of DR.. Douglas White, 523
Eleventh street, was entered by jim
mying a window and three gold bridges
and a quantity of casting gold, valued
at $201.87, were stolen.
The second theft was from the office
Of DR.. Dana L. Gren, 3416 Fourteenth
street Two gold bridges, gold crown
and some casting gold, with a total
value Of SIPS, were taken.