Evening star., 1950-09-21
Auto Theft Ring Here
Believed Broken Up;
5 Are Under Arrest

Police today were confident
they have cracked a widespread
auto theft ring which made a
speciality of stripping some cars to
improve others and then taking
unusual steps to cover their trail.
Two men and 17-year- old boy
were arrested yesterday, another
was picked up today and a fifth is
under arrest in Miami, Fla, on
lookout issued by Metropolitan
Police here.
The arrests ended a three week
search by the Auto Squad, which
covered more than 5000 miles.
1t. Jacob Wolf, head of the squad,
said the gang had stolen seven
new, high-priced automobiles in
the Northwest section of the city
over the last IA weeks.
Takoma Park Man Held.
Charles w. Pastros, %, of the
1900 block of Flower avenue, Ia
koma Park, who police say is an
engineer at the Continental Hotel,
was arrested today.
Miami police picked up a man
identified as John Edgar Smith,
25. of the 5000 block of Georgia
avenue NV, and are awaiting
word on extradition action there.
Held under $500 bond by
United States Commissioner
Cyril S. Lawrence were Richard
B. Riggin, %, of the 5000 block of
Georgia avenue NV. and Leo c..
Condolon, %. of the 1900 block of
Roanoke street, Green Meadows,
Md. They were charged with
grand larceny, and their cases
were continued until october IL.
The boy was turned over to juve-
nile court authorities.
How Gang Operated.
The Auto Squad chief said three
admitted their part in the ring,
and described their operations
like this:
Members of the gang would
tour the residential sections of
the Northwest and choose" a car.
The juvenile then would steal it,
for a payment ranging from $25
to $50.
They would visit an out-of-
town junk dealer and buy a motor
from a wrecked car similar to the
stolen one. Thus, they would &C
quire legitimate title to a motor.
While details of the purchase were
being worked out, the juvenile
would steal the serial number
plate from the wrecked auto.
Stamp On New Numbers.
Members of the gang then would
file the motor number from the
stolen car, and stamp on the
new one. They would also substi-
tute the stolen plate with the
serial number.
Using false names and addresses
purporting to be in nearby Mary
land or Virginia. the gang would
register the title and drive the
car out of town to be sold.
The rings downfall, 1t. Wolf
said. came after Richmond auto
dealer became suspicious last week
when he noticed the title of a
new convertible offered him was
dated the same day members of
the ring tried to sell him the car.
The men drove off without COM
pleting the sale and later aban-
doned the car in Richmond, leav-
ing the title behind.
District police were called in be-
cause of the Washington area ad-
dresses listed, and the painstaking
check of the title began. The trail
led to Baltimore Junk dealer
where a Buick motor had been
purchased.
Identified by Pictures.
Police took several pictures to
the dealer. who identified Con-
dolon. 1t. Wolf said. He said po-
lice files contained a picture of
Condolon, former George Wash
ington University student, because
he was questioned in connection
with a fight sometime ago.
Riggin was arrested near his
home, and Condolon at the apart
ment of girl friend in the 1900
block of Twelfth street NV. The
juvenile was arrested at his home.
AS an example of their opera
tions. 1t. Wolfe said, the gang
bought a $50 motor to get a title
for new Nash, then sold the car
for $1,000. Two of the cars they
stole were stripped and abandoned
on streets here, Lit Wolfe said. He
said those arrested yesterday all
owned expensive. late model cars
which had been acquired legiti-