Evening Republican, Volume 59, Number 77, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 April 1917 — SCOTT CHESNUT IS AUTO THIEF [ARTICLE]

SCOTT CHESNUT IS AUTO THIEF

And is Now in Jail Facing Charge of Theft of the J. C. Gwin Auto— Preliminary Hearing. Scott Chesnut was arrested late Friday evening and lodged in jail here by Deputy Sheriff• John Robinson. Scott was found near Fair Oaks by Deputy Sheriff Robinson, C. W. Rhoades and Jim Rhoades, Friday evening with the J. C. Gwin Overland automobile, which was taken from the latter’s garage some time Thursday night Chesnut called by telephone to the Rhoades garage Friday afternoon, Jim Rhoades answering the Shone, asking that they come to wMre e was and help him get the car started. When asked what car he had he stated that he had an Overland, -which he had received in trade for a Ford. Knowing that Chesnut had no Ford car, and hearing of the Gwin loss, it was immediately decided that Chesnut had the stolen car and it .vas but a short time until the party was headed for Fair Oaks.

Chesnut was found with the stolen car about two miles west of. Fair Oaks. Deputy Sheriff Robinson immediately put him under arrest and he was brought back to Rensselaer. The -license -plate numbers on the car were missing as were also two inner tubes, which it is presumed that Ofiesnut had sold in order to purchase gasoline. The license plates were found under the cushion of the rear seat. Chesnut also had in his possession and a small quantity of whiskey, leading to the belief that he had either been to the Fogli camrp, DeMotte or Cedar Lake. The priaonr would not state where he got it and but little information could be gleaned from* him, Another party is thought to have been -with Chesnut, but the latter refused to divulge the name of his aide, but the authorities are confident that they know who the other man is and expect to have him behind the bars within a few hours.

Chesnnt at the,time of hia arrest was on his way back to Rensselaer, probably intending to return the car under the cover of darkness last night. The thief had run out gasoline and the magneto had gone bad, and for this reason he called the Rhoades garage perhaps thinking that he could have the car fixed and persuade Rhoades to keep silent about the matter. Chesnut is spid to have had a habit of taking ears belonging to- other people out of their garages at night, taking all night joy rides, returning them before mpyping, he was faced serious charges previous to this time, hut in some way always managed to escape. Once the prisoner faced a charge of theft, following his taking some tools and. an overcoat from a tourist car. He was paroled that time by Judge Hanley. Chesnut is an habitual boozer and this was the primary cause for his downfall. He has been in local courts many times and this lost stunt of 'his will probably land him in the penitentiary sos a good long term.

It is not believed by the local authorities that Chesnut had any intention of stealing the car, simply taking it for an all night joy ride. Chesnut had no money when found, but there was a check found on him for $63.00 with his own signature attached. He had shown tint check to several on Thursday afternoon, but had allowed no one to see the signature, which would seem to indicate that his theft of the car was prearranged, The culprit was seen in company*'wtith another well known character about eight o’clock Thursday evening near the court house and the two went north toward the depot, where they attempted to (borrow some money from a Greek who lives near the depot, but were unsuccessful. Chsnut had asked Charles Serritella earlier in the evening to take a ride with him, stating that they would go get a car. Sheriff McColly is of the belief that the car was stolen as early as, 8 o’clock Thursday night. Chesnut is really a very capable mechanic and if he was Inclined to work and behave himself could get a very good position in any automobile factory. He is a member of the local militia company and has always been regarded as one of the very best soldiers in the company, and it seem! that he behaves himself much better wbil on duty as a soldier. He has been* a well known character about this city for years. His mother now lives in Michigan, and he has one brother in South Dakota.

A preliminary hearing was to take place some time this afternoon before Judge Hanlev, when it is expected that the prisoner will pkAJ guilty. There is practically no chance >i hie getting free this time as the authorities have (riven him every chance in the past to make good and he has not taken advantage of them. If he is convicted on a burglary charge his sentence will carry -with it a term of from two to fourteen years in Michigan City orison. He is past thirty .years of age.