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Walter Douglas and Clyde Sidders Admit Taking Machines of Francis Lavelle and Herman Luckoff, Officers Say. When Walter Douglas, age 20, of Athens, and a companion abandoned a stolen automobile in Shawnee Tuesday night, Doug las left his vest in the car. That evidence helped bring the arrest of the pair, who signed confessions early today to the theft of two cars in Athens within the last month, according to officers of the State Highway Patrol. Douglas and Clyde Sidders, age 21, of New Marshfield, were arrested late yesterday by Highway Patrol men J. H. Gorham and R. L. Doebel, who had tracked them from Shaw nee, where the automobile of Fran cis Lavelle, Athens Post Office em ploye, stolen here, had been aban dond when the gasoline supply was exhausted. In their confessions, the youths also admitted stealing the automobile of Herman Luckoff, Athens merchant, on June 29, offi cers said. Luckoff’s car was found wrecked on Route 56, a few miles west of Athens. SEEN ALONG ROAD Gorham, investigating the Lavelle car theft, learned that Douglas and a companion had been seen walk ing along Route 155, between Shaw nee and Corning, early Wednesday. They had been seen by a Shawnee police officer, who knew Douglas. Doebel, continuing the hunt yes terday, located Douglas at 67 S. Mulberry St., where he roomed. Others living there said that the vest found in the car belonged to Doug las. After his arrest, Douglas in volved Sidders. HELP IN QUESTIONING Lieut. A. L. Bouton and Capt. George Mingle of the Highway Pa trol came here last night and helped Patrolman J. B. Grogan and the other officers question the pair. Charges were to be filed today be fore Magistrate T. R. Bennett. The highway officers said that Douglas’ father died in the Ohio State Penitentiary fire in 1929, and that his mother and a brother were burned fatally when oil exploded in their home at New England, ©., in 1926. Douglas was a ward of the Athens County Children's Home from the time he was 10 years old until he was 18, and four of his sisters now live there, the officers said.
Newspaper Details
Athens Messenger
Athens, Ohio, US
Fri, Jul 31, 1936
Page 5
Full Page
Clipped by
Becky F.
USA 14 Jul 2026
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