Ypsilanti Police Arrest Five On Racket Charges

Ypsilanti Police Arrest Five On Racket Charges

YPSILANTI -- Police roadblocks closed in on three men here Saturday to smash a numbers racket ring estimated to have "banked" almost $3,000 weekly with a Detroit Numbers house.

Shortly afterward, officers jailed two other men, said to have operated collection points for a numbers bets in the Ypsilanti area.

Held on gambling conspiracy charges are Paul Wasson, 27, of 504 First Ct.; Marshall Taylor, 22, of 847 Jefferson St.; Harry Fuqua, 20, of 515 First Ct.; Abby Clay, 33, of 335 Second Ave., and Elijah Williams, 52, of 431 S. Hamilton St.

Identify Ringleader

Wasson was identified by Detective Captain William F. Reiman as the ringleader of the gang.

The arrests of Saturday climaxed a month-long investigation of numbers activities here.

Reiman set up three roadblocks shortly after 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon after Wasson had been seen to make suspected numbers

pickups, then proceed eastward toward Detroit.

Seconds later, one police squad car, manned by Captain Emil Susterka and Patrolman Ray Walton spotted Wasson's car midway between Huron and River Sts., and gave chase.

The pursued car skipped two red signal lights before the pursuing squad car was able to force it to the curb.

Found In Car

Wasson, Taylor and Fuqua were found in the car, Susterka said, along with a fourth man, who later was released. Taylor was driving.

Officers said they found $375.83 in cash in the car and numbers tickets valued at about $460. Also seized were more than a dozen marijuana cigarets and a matchbox filled with the drug in loose form.

After questioning Wasson and his companions, police raided the homes of Clay and Williams, and jailed them both on gambling conspiracy warrants.

Reiman said federal officials would be called in today to investigate the source of the drugs found in the car. Fuqua said he bought them from a peddler in a Detroit alley.

The five will be arraigned in municipal court here tomorrow.