Two detectives attached to the Special Service Division, Uhifelder and Smith, approached Otis Wilson after they saw three men approach and hand him something at 133rd Street and Seventh avenue. Suspecting illegal policy playing, the detectives took Otis into a hallway to search him for the slips. When Otis reached into his coat pocket for the slip, he actually reached for a .45 calibre revolver which he he attempted to use on the officers. They promptly arrested Otis and discovered that he had previously served time in Sing Sing for robbery.