Evening star., 1947-08-12
Boys Hunting Arrow, Quick Work by Grocer
Lead to Arrest Of in $2,7O6 Safe Robbery
Police Arrive in Time
For Mile Chase in
SuitIund Woods

"SSS su
SuitIond Woods
Amateur detective work, a civilian
posse and five policemen who par
tic1pated In a mile-long chase yes
terday through the woods near Suit
land, Md, were credited today for
bringing about the arrest of two
youths suspected in q $2,1O6 safe
robbery here.
The 300-pound safe was taken
from the Howard Johnson Restau-
rant, 5000 Pennsylvania avenue Sc,
Sunday night. Two boys hunting
with bows and arrows found it un-
opened In the woods yesterday
morning. A few hours later, the ar
rests came as result Of sleuthing
by grocer and his employees, acting
on information supplied by the boys.
Charged with housebreaking at
police headquarters here are:
Charles R. Cook, 20, of the 1000
block of Thirty-eighth street Sc. a
former cook at the restaurant, and
James H. Medley, II, Of the 1900
block Of Fort Davis street Sc, son
OF a building contractor.
Cook was placed under $500
bond today by United States Com
missioner Needham C. Turnage.
Medley was die TO appear before
the Juvenile Court.
Police told Commissioner Turnape
that Cook had no previous police
record and the relatively low bond
was set while he was granted a
continuance to allow him to seek
legal aid.
Safe Found in Underbrush.
The amateur detective work began
around 10 am. yesterday when
Garry Clendenning. IL, Of 1901
Meadow View drive, Suitland, and
William Tayman, 10, of $40 Meadow
View drive, started looking for an
arrow shot into the underbrush.
They found the safe and reported
to Hugh Haney whose grocery store,
at 5501 Suitland road, is several
hundred yards away. r.
Mr. Haney called the Prince
Georges County police, but In the
meantime, dispatched an employe,
Robert T. Silver, Is, OF 1407 Four
teenth street NV, to keep an eye
on the safe. Mr.. Haney said the
policeman assigned to the case de-
cided the thieves would not return
until dark. Mr.. Haney told Mr..
Silver to stay hidden behind q fallen
tree, partly covered with leaves, just
in case they did return before
nightfall.
Two hous later, Mr.. Silver ran
into Mr.. Haney's store and told him
two men had driven up in a car and
were trying to open the safe. The
storekeeper called Prince Georges
County police again and they, in
turn, notified Washington police,
who dispatched several carloads of
detectives and patrolmen to the
scene.
Posse Confronts Two.
The grocer than armed a posse
and hurried back to the spot where
the safe was concealed. Mr.. Haney
carried pistol; Eugene Scott, 16,
OF lot Woodland road, a clerk at the
grocery store, had shotgun, and
Mr.. Silver a rock.
! Mr.. Haney said the posse con-
fronted the two youths and took
from them a sledge hammer, q
crowbar and a jack. Just then
police cars from both Marlboro and
the i1th precinct came up the road.
The two suspects broke and ran
through the woods, Mr.. Haney ex-
planned.
-Four policemen joined the volun-
teers and the chase wound through
the woods. It ended about q mile
later when. the suspects ran into
the arms of another policeman
waiting at Suitland road.
Policemen participating in the
chase were Marlboro Detective
Sergt. Wilson J. Purdy, Sergts. John
F. Dent and j. w. Sidall and Pvt.
Raymond L. Eubank and Corp. Rob-
ert w. Smith of the Eleventh Pre-
cinct.
Father Glad Youth Was Caught.
In addition to these five police
men, more than 10 scout cars were
in the vicinity.
The two youths were taken to
Marlboro where they waived extra
dition and were returned to police
headquarters in Washington i'm
mediately.
Medley's father, James M. Medley,
told reporters he was sort Of glad
the boy was caught-it might teach
him q lesson while he Is still young
and can lead a good life later on"
Mr.. Medley said his son was some
thing Of a problem child" an dhas
been hard to keep in school. This
summer he had attempted to keep
the boy occupied on construction
jobs, with Indifferent success" Mr..
Medley stated. ~
Police said Mr.. Medley's car was
used in the robbery.
Mr.. Medley told reporters he
parked his car in front Of his home
about 1880 pm. Sunday. The next
morning the car was gone. Police
later located it parked q block from
the restaurant at which the safe
was stolen.