Tipsy Burglar, Winn Parish, LA
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483
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>From the March 23, 1951 Winnfield News-American


Tipsy Negro Burglar Nabbed After Passing Out On Caper

Mixes Milk and Antiseptic


An intoxicated negro burglar who fell asleep on a "caper" was easily captured
by the proprietor of a local business establishment early Sunday morning.  The
negro, who said he was "Cuby Corley of Shreveport", is being held in the Winn
Parish jail on charges of breaking and entering in the night time and
burglary.

When Clarence Bruce, who, with his wife, operates the local bus station and
cafe on Lafayette Street, opened the establishment for business about 5:30
a.m. Sunday he was startled to see a negro man leap up from the floor and run
into the kitchen at the rear of the cafe.  Mr. Bruce followed his "visitor"
into the kitchen and promptly persuaded him to surrender.  Police were called
and he was soon made an unwelcome inmate of the Parish hoose-gow.

Investigation showed that the man had gained admission to the building
sometime Saturday night and had bundled up several items of groceries to take
with him when he left.  However, while searching the cafe he found several
bottles of antiseptic which he proceeded to sample.  Apparently one drink led
to another, and one bottle led to another, until finally the tipsy burglar
fell asleep.  Then, next thing he knew, his nap was rudely interrupted when
Mr. Bruce opened the front door.  Several empty antiseptic bottles were found
on the floor.  A few empty milk bottles also indicated that he had mixed his
drinks, an amazing blend of milk and antiseptic.

Items bundled together as if ready to be taken when he left included a box of
snuff, a five pound loaf of cream cheese, a bowl of cabbage, three pounds of
sliced bacon, butter, and several bottles of milk.

Mrs. Clarence Bruce, who described the burglar's escapades to a News-American
reporter, laughingly agreed that this was the most peculiar burglar she had
ever heard of.  

The Winn Parish Sheriff's department has fingerprinted the negro and is
seeking to determine whether or not he is wanted by police elsewhere.  Chief
Deputy Miley Walsworth said the negro appears to be a tramp.  The man says he
is 29 years of age, lives in Shreveport, and has never before been to
Winnfield.  He admitted that he had gained admission to the building by
forcing open the back door latch with a stick of wood, the sheriff's
department reported.  

Mrs. Bruce believes the man may have entered the bus station at night on one
or more previous occasions.  She said she has found evidence on one or more
occasions that someone had been in the building during the night.

(Submitted by Greggory Ellis Davies, Winnfield, Winn Parish, LA.)