Evening star., 1940-03-11
Bandit Holds Up
Hotel Clerk,
Takes $400
Calmly Walks Out
After Money Is Put
~

III SOuVOS OOA
A tall, well-dressed bandit held
up the night clerk at the Black
stone Hotel at $40 o'clock this
morning and escaped with between
$400 and $500.
Armed with a nickel-plated re-
volver, the holdup man forced the
clerk to dump the contents of the
desk cash drawer in q canvas bag
he had pulled from his overcoat
pocket.
No one was in the hotel lobby
when the bandit entered, and the
clerk, Vernon Reuther, was alone
at the desk.
Mr. Reuther said the man i'm
mediately thrust a revolver in his
face.
Give me the cash drawer" Mr.
Reuther said the bandit commanded
in low voice. The clerk said he re-
piled there was nothing in the
drawer, but the intruder told him
to take it from the desk and place
it on the floor.
Mr.. Reuther complied and the
robber walked around the desk to
the Office entrance and tossed the
clerk canvas bag. Put it in there
and keep low" the man said.
The man took the bag of money
and. after telling Mr. Reuther to
stoop behind the desk until I get
out" walked calmly through the
lobby to the street.
The clerk said he did not hear
an automobile drive off and pre-
sumed the bandit fled on foot.
The loot represented part of the
week end receipts at the hotel, the
manager having taken sum of
money from the cash drawer late
Saturday and placed it in a safe
Officials said the money was in.
sured.
The hotel had been held up twice
previously in the last 10 years. In
the other cases the bandits fled
without taking any money.
Mr.. Reuther described the bandit
as being about feet tall, of slender
build and wearing a brown hat, suit
and overcoat.
A colored bandit last night robbed
Max Friedburg of $65 in his store
at 633 D street Sc. The victim told
detectives the man ordered a soft
drink and pulled a revolver when
Mr.. Friedburg walked behind the
counter.
Eleven downcast poker players
came to police last night with
tale of losing to 18th player who
suddenly augmented his losing
hands by drawing revolver. The
man repeatedly jumped from win
dow in the 300 block of F street
NV, where the game was taking
place, with his pockets bulging with
about 5000 he collected on the last
hand" Police, however, refused to
investigate when the victims de-
clined to identify themselves as
complainants.
Police, intensifying their drive on
crime, announced the arrest of a
suspected jewelry thief, three thugs
who attacked and robbed a ped
estrian early Saturday, and three
youths who strong-arme a visitor
from Kalamazoo, Mich, and fled
with 50 and his watch.
Two first precinct patrolmen CAP
tured a 30-year-old colored man
after they saw him about to smash
q show window of the Ross Jewelry
Co 1871 r Strent NJ w
Admits $1,000 Thefts.
The suspect, according to Capt.
Robert Pierce of the first precinct,
admitted stealing more than 81 900
in jewelry from several stores in
downtown Washington, but refused
to reveal how he had disposed of
the loot. He was still under ques-
tioning today.
The man carried lead pipe. with
glove attached to one end, when
he was arrested by Pvts. George
Weaver and E. F. Nolan, they said.
Three policemen-Sergt. j. r.
Leach, on special detail, and Pvts.
A. L. Embrey and A. B. Hit
picked up a radio report of rob-
berry while cruising in the second
precinct early Saturday. Hurrying
to the scene, they captured three
men who are said to have attacked
William Gorham of 1912 Rovers
Court NV, and robbed him of So
The victim told police the men
approached him as he neared his
home and stripped him of his over
coat, sweater and hat before taking
his money.
Watch and Cash Recovered.
The Michigan visitor, Richard
Emerson Platt, IS, stopping at q
downtown hotel, said three youths
grabbed him near Judiciary Square
last night and escaped with 81 and
his watch valued at $l00. Police
later arrested his assailants and re.
covered the cash and watch. The
suspects, two 16 and one II years o1
age, were to appear in Juvenile Court
today.
George B. Howard told police hi
home, at 350l Alton place NV, hac
been burglarized and $500 worth o1
silver plate stolen. Among othel
missing articles, he reported, were {
revolver, luggage and jewelry. Th'
: silver set consisted of IS pieces, Mr.
Howard said.
Another burglary occurred at tn
electrical supplies store Of Raymond
II. Katz in the 1900 block Of Georgis
avenue NV. Mr.. Katz told polic'
$50 In cash and two watches wer'
taken from an open safe In the shop
A thief took police revolver be-
longing to Sergt. Charles L. Langle!
Of the fifth precinct from beneath
the front seat of his automobil'
parked at Thirteenth street ant
Maryland avenue NE. the police
man reported. The pistol was .38
caliber Colt. A leather holster ais
was stolen, Sergt. Langley said.