Evening star., 1943-01-20
S23,5OO Bail Set
For Pair Held in
Bad Check Case
FBFs Chief Coils Two
Most Expert Possers TO
Operate Here in Yeors'

Arrest by the Federal Bureau of
Investigation here of a man and a
woman in connection with the pass
ing of an estimated 5000 worth
of bad checks at Washington banks
and department stores was an
nounced by the Justice Department
late yesterday.
Described by FBI Director j. Ed
gar Hoover as smooth and con-
vincing takers" the couple-An-
drew LIE Bolo, 81, and Sylvia Bowl
by, 24-were said by investigators to
have been the most expert check
passers to operate here in a number
of years. .e -.
The pair pleaded not guilty and
waived preliminary hearing when
arrhigned late yesterday before
United States Commissioner Need
ham c. Turnage, who fixed bond at
$4,000 for LIE Bolo and $500 for
the woman.
Arrested in Riggs Bank.
LIE Bolo was arrested late Mon
day, soon after he had attempted
to cash forged check for $3.50 at
the main office of the Riggs National
Bank. Earlier in the day, he tried
to cash check for $3.50 at the
Park road branch of Riggs. After
questioning by bank employees, he
hurriedly left the bank.
The woman was seized by FBI
agents Monday evening According
to the Justice Department she
passed a forged check for s167.5o
at local department store. She was
arrested by local police several weeks
ago on check passing charges, and
has been free on bond. She is now
charged with violating the National
Stolen Property Act.
LIE Bolo, according to the FBI.
has a criminal record that dates
back to 1929. He has been arrested
numerous tiHes on narcotics counts
and Is charged with violating the
larcency provisions of the National
Bank Robbery Act.
Arrest of the pair climaxed an
investigation of several months by
the FBI and local police. LIE Bolo
and his companion, according to the
FBI, made practice of forging
checks drawn on legitimate ac-
counts, usually on Government pay-
days. Their usual method Of
operation was to steal bank state
ments from mail boxes in apart
ment and rooming houses for in
formation regarding bank balances,
signatures and account numbers.
They then deposited forged checks
in bona f1de accounts, followed I'D
these deposits with large with
drawals.
Two Checks for $3.50.
In some instances, the frauds were
not uncovered for several weeks,
until the victim received his next
bank statement and discovered the
forged checks in his account. In
two instances, according to the FBI.
checks were written in the amount
of $500. .r ~,
The theft Of department store
bills placed a new twist on an old
racket, according to investigators.
The pair paid the bills, then forged
the customers name to a check for
much larger amount, receiving the
difference from the store in change.
The pair began their operations
here several months ago. After the
lrst bank was victimized. a cir
cular was sent out by the District
Bankers Association and tellers were
put on their guard. The woman was
said to be the chief operator in de-
partment stores.
ID. c. Detectives Help.
The FBI joined in the case be-
cause banks, covered by Federal
laws, were involved. The Burns
Detective Agency, represent the
American Bankers Association, also
investigated the case.
Part OF the credit for the break"
IN the case was given to Detective
Sergts. Dewey Guest and David Hie-
gins of the Washington Detective
Bureaus check squad, who worked
closely with the FBI and other
agencies. 80.
Both were commended by Robert
j. Barrett, assistant chief of detec-
tives, for their splendid work" In
connection with the case.