Jasper County Democrat, Volume 23, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 May 1920 — BUNCH OF CAR THIEVES TAKEN [ARTICLE]

BUNCH OF CAR THIEVES TAKEN

At Monon and Loot Valued at Several Thousand Dollars Found. The Monon yards at this place have sprung into the limelight for pilfering on an extravagant scale. Many box cars have been broken open and large quantities of merchandise have been stolen. A number of detectives have been sent here in an effort to protect property and apprehend the guilty parties. The more vigilance shown by the company in this direction has thus far been rewarded by still greater depredations. It is said that within the past two years the Monon yards robberies have amounted to not less than $20,000. A large percentage of this stolen property was merchandise in transit and a round-up here some time ago recorded the fact that the pilfering was done by local talent. Sheriff Price now has in his possession a lot of auto tires which were sold to a Monticello party for S7OO, about half their real value. They were surrendered by the purchaser, who must have known they were contraband goods. These tires are said to have ’been stolen here and were sold by Monon parties. i Tuesday Sheriff Price and Officer Hayes of the Monon road arrested Charles Allison on the charge of grand larceny and knowingly receiving stolen goods. He was arraigned in circuit court and gave bond for his appearance today in the sum of $2,000, with Jake Timmons as surety. Three 100-pound bags of sugar were found at Mr. Allison’s home, which was confiscated. Mr. Allison said he bought the sugar Friday of a local dealer, paying 25c per pound for it. The officers claim that the sugar was hidden when it was secured by means of a search warrant. Mr. Allison has been carrying on two lines of business here with ap* parent success and public opinion should be suspended until he has had an opportunity to vindicate himself in a court of justice, which presumes his innocence until he is proven guilty. Charles Allison was re-arrested yesterday on two additional charges and his bail increased to $4,000, which he had not furnished at the hour wfien the News went to press. The re-arrest followed the recovery of $3,000 worth of tobacco, cigars, and cigarettes 'found in a vacant house on the Graham farm, ”2% miles north of town. Robert Fulmer was arrested on a larceny charge and his bond fixed at $2,000. Charles Curant was also taken into custody and is held as a witness. Further developments of even more sensational character are momentarily expected as several others are said to be implicated in the stupendous plunder scheme.— Monon News.