Evening star., 1947-12-05

Ex-|nmate Of Lorton,
ShotbyPo|ice on Roof,
Guarded at Ga||inger
A former inmate of Lorton Re-
formatory is under heavy guard at
Gallinger Hospital today after be-
ing wounded in a barrage of pistol
shots fired by police who trapped
him on the roof of a bottling plant
last night. Two companions
escaped.
Clinton Moore, "a, colored, no
fixed address, who suffered a flesh
wound under his arm, is in fair
condition. He was charged with
housebreaking today. District panel
officials said he had been released
from the reformatory in August
after serving a term for larceny OF
goods in interstate commerce.
The incident, in which seven shots
were fired, ensued shortly after
pm. when citizen telephoneo
police after noticing suspicious cir.
cumstances at the Seven-Up Wash.
ington, Inc, bottling plant at 1925
Kenilworth avenue NE.
Four Police at Scene.
1t. Bert Sheldon Of No. II pre-
cinct, former Metropolitan Police
security officer at the Capitol, spec
to the scene with Corpl. Robert w
Smith in scout car. They were
at once joined by Policemen Hay
wood D. Douglass and Morris A
Lewis, both colored and also OF
No. II, who were in another scout
car.
The officers noticed a broker
glass in a side window, indicating
the means of entry. After placing
Policemen Douglass and Lewis al
rear corners of the building to cu1
off avenues of escape, the lieuten'
ant and corporal determined that
the suspects had assembled to thu
roof by way of an upper window.
1t. Sheldon then instructed his
men not to use their guns unless
their repeated calls for the intrud'
ers to halt were ignored.
Policeman Douglass said that II
the darkness he saw a man coming
forward on the roof toward hi
lookout point.
Come on down, boy" the police.
man said he cried to the intruder
when he ducked and tried tt
run 1 fired a shot," Policeman
Douglass declared.
Yells, 81 Surrender"
Meanwhile his partner, Policeman
Lewis, also had seen men on thu
roof, which is about Is feet from
the ground. IT fired four shots" HI
said. II don't know if they tool
effect"
At the same time, 1t Sheldor
and Corpl. Smith heard the shoot
ing, and the corporal, also seeing
the movements on the roof, said HI
fired twice.
Moore was hit. 1t. Sheldon saie
the man yelled, st surrender. You'v'
got me. I'll come down."
Meanwhile Moore's suspected &C
completes had managed to elude tn
shots and gotten off the roof. The.
scaled barbed wire fencing separat
ing the plant from railroad track
and fled into thick bushes
1t was not determined which o
the three policemen wounded Moore
1t. Sheldon explained. He reiterated
that the shooting did not commenc
until the men repeatedly ignored
warnings to halt.
Partition Cut Away.
He added that a search of tn
plants Office disclosed that a larg
glass partition had been cut ava,
in the finance division. Several larg
safes are located in that section 0
the Office but none was tampere'
with, the officer said. Plant official
said they held about $4,000.
In the belief that one of the &C
completes may have been wounded
a lookout was sent out early toda,
on the police radio. 1t describe'
him as being about % years of age
about S feet inches tall, weighing
between 145 and $50 pounds, ant
wearing light colored jacket, brown
trousers and light colored hat.
Hospitals also are being checked
to ascertain if they treated {
wounded man.
Moore had on his person whel
captured a pair of pliers, a jack
knife and fountain pen-typ
fashlight, 1t. Sheldon disclosed. /
gunny sack was found on the offlc
floor.
Believed Part of Gang.
Police said they believed the mel
were part of loosely organized gam
of safe cracksmen. Detective Sergt
Irving Lubore of the Safe Squa,
added that they probably planne,
to use heavy tools from the plant il
opening the safes.
Whether the other men wer
armed was not decided 1t. Sheldol
said Policeman Lewis told him on
of the men had something in hi
hand which had a metallic CLINT.
When Policemen Lewis and Doug
las first received the call, they ha
in their scout car an intoxicate
man and were on their way to NEE
a wagon to take him to the pre-
cinct. In view of the imperativ
radio call they said they took tn
drunk along to the bottling plant.
The policemen said he told them
'Lemme get to these guys. II
catch them for you"
Enstern Sfnr Dnnre 1oniohi