SPECTACULAR D.C. POLICE CHASE ENDS WITH CRASH INTO COAL TRUCK
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On January 21, 1922, a "high-powered 1921" automobile led local police officers on a "spectacular" chase through the streets of the Nation's Capital.
The vehicle came into the city from Alexandria, Virginia and was suspected of containing bootleg whiskey. The chase ended when the crime car crashed into a coal truck at 5th & O Streets, NW.
One of the suspects got out of the demolished vehicle and attempted to escape to a nearby railroad yard. Donald Kane* was caught and placed under arrest, but his accomplice eluded capture.
Police found many quart jars of "corn whisky" in the back of the demolished car and had to guard its contents from the throng of spectators.
Despite the outcome of the chase, the Evening Star comments that this incident demonstrates the need for local police to have "more efficient equipment" as their police cars were no match for this high-powered vehicle.
*Donald Kane, at the time of this incident, was on probation with a 7 year suspended sentence for assaulting police officers. The judge had given him probation on the grounds that Kane would "stay out of trouble."
SOURCE
"Shots Fly Thick As Police Chase Auto With Whiskey," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., January 21, 1922, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
