Introduction
John Lenkowski, 1934
JOHN LENKOWSKI was born in New Jersey on June 13, 1915. He came to the attention of law enforcement personnel in February of 1928, when he was only 12 years old. During the 1930s he gained a reputation via the newspapers of being one of Camden's leading “bad boys.”
By 1930 his father had passed away. John Lenkowski lived at the time of the Census at 1226 Chestnut Street, just off of Haddon Avenue, a block where many other Polish families lived. At home were his widowed mother Vincentina, brother Joseph, 19, and sisters Sophie, Stella, and Christine. In Depression-era Camden and without a father, both Joseph and John Lenkowski developed a wild streak, and fell into a life of crime in the early 1930s.
On May 24, 1931 brother Joseph Lenkowski attempted to rob Tom Kenney's Cafe at 100 Pearl Street. Police shot and killed his partner, Felix Zubelski, 18, of 1039 Diamond Street, and wounded Joseph Lenkowski as they attempted to escape.
Already having served time and out on parole by the spring of 1934, John Lenkowski, as a member of a gang led by Philadelphia gangster Philip Caplan, participated in a series of armed robberies in Camden and Gloucester City. The gang was rounded up in May of 1934. Lenkowski also took part in a bank robbery at Marlton along with Mitchell Sadowski, Stanley Geda and others during this period.
By December of 1939, John Lenkowski was back on the streets. He was implicated in the fatal December 24th shooting of Andrew Scarduzio, an Eighth Ward political worker, who had, with brother Nick Scarduzio, tried to enter a taproom in Bellmawr, NJ, long after closing time. Andrew was shot to death. Considered a suspect in the killing, John Lenkowski was a fugitive when, on January 9, 1940, Westmont crime figure Joseph Colozzi was gunned down in South Philadelphia. Colozzi and John Lenkowski had been reported to be in each other's company much of the ten days previous to the shooting.
John Lenkowski was last a resident of Browns Mills, NJ. He passed away in September of 1983.
Eight Boys Are Held, Colored Fagin Sought
Camden Courier-Post —
Accusing a colored junk dealer of enticing them to steal by offering to buy anything they brought him “no matter where they got it,” eight boys were committed to the detention home this morning charged with larceny. Police are searching for the man who promised to buy the stolen goods.
The boys were arrested by Policeman August Fortune. Five of them were charged with stealing 50 pounds of copper wire from Kaighn and Baird avenues. The others were accused by Elmer Woods, of the Camden Battery Company, 18 Haddon avenue, of stealing 200 lead battery plates.
The boys arrested in the copper theft were, John Lenkowski, 12 years old, 1178 Sycamore street; Stanley Barcycki, 14 years, 1179 Mechanic street; Victor Bielicki, 14 years, 1402 Rose street; John Jankowski, 12 years, 1182 Sycamore street. The three arrested on complaint of Woods were Edward and Jess Luczkiewicz, 15 and 14 years old, 1061 Louis street, and Stanley Zwack, 15 years, Louis and Thurman streets.
3 Camden Cafes Are Closed by U.S. Court
Camden Courier-Post —
Three of Camden's most popular cafes and a Runnemede roadhouse, described on the permits as “soft drink establishments” but known otherwise to thousands of South Jersey and Philadelphia thirsty, were ordered padlocked yesterday.
The establishments are: “Tom” Kenney's Bridge Cafe, 100 Pearl Street, the Bronx Cafe, 29 North Third Street, the Arcadia Cafe, 201 Federal Street, and the Marland Club, Black Horse Pike, Runnemede. The padlocks were ordered in Trenton by Federal Judge George Bourquin.
The four places were raided several months ago by federal agents and the padlocks were ordered on the strength of “beerometer” tests made on the premises which disclosed the “soft drinks” were of illegal alcoholic content. Such tests recently were declared legal by Bourquin.
Owners or operators of the establishments are listed in the orders as follows: Bridge Cafe, Thomas J. Kenney, John A. Smith and Charles H. Schwab; the Bronx Cafe, Thomas J. Boland and Florence Scannell; the Arcadia Cafe, William and Sophia Siobodzian, and the Marland Club, Edward Smith and Gottlieb Mayer, president of the Camden German Maennerchor.
An attempt to rob the Kenney Cafe last May 24 failed when police shot and killed Felix Zubelski, 18, of 1039 Diamond street, and wounded Joseph Lenkowski, 21, of 1226 Chestnut Street, as they attempted to escape.
One Arrested as Cops Here Raid ‘Arsenal’
Camden Courier-Post —
One Arrested as Cops Here Raid ‘Arsenal’
Guns Found in Cramer Hill After Tip From Underworld
WAR ON DETECTIVES BELIEVED PLANNED
Camden detectives yesterday arrested a paroled convict and seized a miniature arsenal on a tip that Philadelphia gangsters were hiding here to “knock off” local officers.
The tipster said the “knock off” was in revenge for “bearing down” on gangsters and racketeers.
The arrest was the first move in the local drive to harry haven-seeking Philadelphia racketeers from this city.
The convict was arrested and his arsenal seized in Cramer Hill, when police raided the place.
The man arrested is Philip Caplan, who told police he lived at the house raided, 919 North Nineteenth street. According to police, Caplan has a record “as long as your arm.”
Believed 'Master Mind'
Police expressed an opinion that Caplan was the “master mind” of several recent holdups here. They said they believed he directed the holdups, although not appearing at the scene of the crimes.
Three revolvers, their numbers filed off, and several boxes of cartridges and shot-gun shells, were found in a closet in the house.
Detective Lieut. Louis Shaw said he believed Caplan “and his gang” fled to this city to escape the gang probe now under way in Philadelphia.
Betting Slips Seized
A brief case, containing thousands of number betting slips and other papers, also was seized. Police are attempting to check on the contents.
Caplan was held on suspicion and for possession of weapons.
Detectives Benjamin Simon, George Zeitz, Clifford Del Rossi and Edwin Mills staged the raid, after having had the house under observation four days.
Police learned of the alleged gang headquarters through a “tip” from the underworld. They were informed that several Philadelphia gangsters had rented the house and “were laying in wait for the opportunity of knocking off Camden detectives who were 'bearing down' on racketeers and holdup men.”
Detective Simon said their informant told them they would find several guns in the place and two or three sawed-off shotguns, all of which have been used in recent holdups in this city. Police believe some of the guns were removed from the place recently.
Caplan admitted to ownership of the guns when questioned at detective headquarters, but said he was not carrying them on his person and asked that they be returned to him.
Was Paroled Recently
Caplan was paroled recently in Philadelphia, after having been sentenced to serve 15 years in the Eastern Penitentiary for holdup and robbery at the point of a gun.
“This man Caplan has a record as long as your arm,” Lieutenant Shaw said. “He is a racketeer and is now on parole from a 15-year sentence for holdup and robbery at the point of a gun. I have reason to believe he is an expert safe cracker and may be wanted in some other cities. The contents of the brief case will be investigated. It may be this man and his gang were chased out of Philadelphia in view of the current war on numbers and crime there. I do not believe this man is in the numbers business, but I do believe some of the gang he is connected with may be number barons.”
Police arrested a second man outside the Nineteenth street dwelling, but he was released after questioning at police headquarters. They did not reveal his name.
Simon said known “crooks” have been going in and out of the Cramer Hill address since the police have been watching the place.
3 Holdup Suspects Identified in Lineup Before 20 Victims
Camden Courier-Post —
Brother of One Also Held With Gunman Captured Here
BLAMED FOR MANY JOBS
Max Sussman, 1525 Wildwood avenue, identified Stainker, declared the detectives, as one of the men who robbed him of his receipts from the Giant Market meat department while en route home April 28.
The detectives said that John and Mealy were recognized as two of the three robbers who held up Edward J. Wilson, 2900 Mt. Ephraim avenue, January 6, and obtained $50.
Caplan was arrested May 11 after the police seized a small arsenal in his home. He was later identified, according to police, as the leader of a gang which two months ago held up Samuel Rosen, of 30 North Burlington street, Gloucester, and after robbing him of $200, kidnaped him.
Joseph Lenkowski was identified as one of two suspects who robbed a chain store at Market street and Lane avenue, Gloucester, early yesterday after pointing a revolver at Harry Robinson, a newspaper carrier. Police said Lenkowski was identified in the Gloucester robbery. As a result he was held without bail on a charge of burglary by Mayor J. Emerson Jackson and committed to the Camden County jail to await the action of the grand jury. Police say he is on parole for another crime.
and James Mealy, 18, of 342 Mercer street, Gloucester.
The other suspects, who were not identified, are Joseph Lenkowski, 23, brother of John, and Philip Caplan, 37, of 919 North Ninth street, who is being held for the grand jury charged with illegal possession of firearms.
The five suspects were lined up in detective bureau and more than 20 victims and witnesses in recent holdups viewed them. According to police the men under arrest are responsible for about 95 percent of the holdups and robberies in Camden and vicinity for the past 10 or 12 weeks.
According to Del Rossi and Simon, John Lenkowski was identified as one of two bandits who held up the Camden Liquor Company store, Broadway and Benson streets, two months ago. John, Stainker and Mealy were identified as three of the four bandits who stole $45 at the MacAndrews-Forbes office, Third and Jefferson streets, early this month.
John Lenkowski was arrested on suspicion with Stainker by Detectives Simon and Del Rossi. Mealy will be taken to the detective bureau from the county jail, where he is serving a sentence imposed in Pennsylvania on a motor violation.
Joseph Lenkowski, Stainker and Mealy were arrested by the two sleuths on May 5 and held for investigation in connection with several robberies in Parkside but were released by Police Judge Pancoast two days later in their own recognition.
“There is no question in my mind,” Simon said, “that these men planned and executed these holdups. Caplan, we believe, is the leader of the gang and made the plans for the jobs and furnished the others with guns.”
5 Men and Woman Held in P.S. Bus Barn Holdup, Marlton Bank Robbery
Camden Courier-Post —
Named: Stanley Powell, Stanley Geda, John Lenkowski, and Mitchell Sadowski.
Four of Notorious ‘Forty’
COPS ARREST 4 IN PHILA. HOTEL COUNTING CASH
Camden Police to Seek Extradition of Gang at Hearing Thursday
LICENSE NUMBER OF CAR LEADS TO RAID ON ROOM
Scores of Crimes Charged to Members of ‘Band of 40 Thieves’
Five men and a woman, reputedly members of Camden's notorious “band of 40 thieves,” were arrested yesterday and formally charged with the holdup of the Public Service bus garage at Fifteenth and Mickle streets.
Efforts are also being made by local and state police to link the sextet with the $4000 Marlton National Bank holdup last Friday, and more than a score of other recent crimes throughout South Jersey. All six will be given hearings Thursday. The five men are held without bail; the woman is in jail in default of $5000 bail.
Stanley Powell, 28, of 1256 Whitman avenue, and Stephie Ciesla, 22, of 1224 Chase street, were taken into custody in Camden.
John Lenkowski, 28, of Chestnut and Louis streets; Stanley Geda, 22, of the 1200 block Everett street; Stanley Krause, 19, of 1252 Sycamore street, and Mitchell Sadowski, 18, of 1200 Sycamore street, were arrested in Philadelphia. Lieut. George Ward, of the Camden detective bureau, is preparing extradition papers to have them returned to this city.
Suspected in Holdups
The six are also suspected of complicity by local and county police in the holdup ten days ago of the Genova Cafe, Third and Arch streets; the $900 payroll robbery last month of the Young and Metzner Company at Sixth street and Atlantic avenue; the attempted robbery of a Westville chain store last Friday when shots were exchanged with police; the holdup of an ice cream stand at Central Airport; the larceny of an automobile from the Cadillac-LaSalle agency in Westville, Friday, and the theft of more than a score of stolen automobiles.
A total of $187.50 was found in the possession of the quartet nabbed in Philadelphia yesterday. This was described as part of the loot from the Public Service garage job by Lieutenant Ward.
The spectacular capture of the four was hailed by local authorities the first step in the breaking up of the notorious gang that has been operating in South Jersey for so long. The arrest of Powell and the Ciesla girl came a few hours later.
Lieutenant Ward and Detective Sergeant Gus Koerner, aided in Philadelphia detectives, swooped down upon a hotel at 1700 Race street, Philadelphia, and smashed in a door to a second-floor room. There they found the four men. “They were dividing some money,” explained the detective head. “It was stolen in the Public Service holdup yesterday.”
The arrest of Powell and the girl came after Detective Sam Finkelstein raided. The license number of the car which was used in the garage holdup was checked, and traced to the hotel. Patrolmen William Feitz and Joseph Schultz went to her home and found the car. The man jumped from the car and fled down the street in suit. After a chase of half a block, Schultz fired a shot over Powell's head. Powell stopped and surrendered.
Four Youths Get Terms in Prison
Trenton Times —
Four boys, 16 to 19 years old, were sentenced in Camden Criminal Court today to terms of seven to ten years each after they pleaded guilty to a series of holdups.
A detainer was lodged against them by Burlington County authorities who charge the group robbed the Mariton National Bank on June 14, when $4,119 was taken.
The prisoners are Stanley Geda and Stanley Krause, 19; John Lenkowski, 18, and Mitchell Sadowski, 16. Two others allegedly involved in the same crimes pleaded not guilty and will be tried. They are Stanley Powell, 20, and Edward Guegryc, 19.
Jury Is Recalled in Bank Charges
Trenton Times —
MOUNT HOLLY, July 3.—Prosecutor Howard Eastwood yesterday recalled the April term Grand Jury to investigate a number of complaints that have been filed in the Prosecutor's office since the jury was last in session.
Twenty-four indictments were returned late yesterday afternoon, five of which were impounded inasmuch as the defendants are still at large.
Among the list of indictments there appeared the names of four accused bank robbers who are at present in the Camden County Jail. Each had two indictments against him, (1) intent to rob Mrs. Florence Roberts, clerk of Marlton Bank and (2) assault with intent to kill Horace C. Wills, cashier of the same institution. The defendants are: Mitchell Sadowski, Stanley Krause, John Lenkawski and a John Doe, all of Camden.
Parolee Seized in Stolen Auto by Camden Cop
Camden Courier-Post —
Sadowski Was Freed by Judge in 20-Year Term for Bank Holdup
ARRESTED AT WHEEL OF ELUSIVE MACHINE
Mitchell Sadowski, 21-year-old paroled convict, who was given a “break” five months ago in Federal Court by Judge Philip Forman, was under arrest again last night after being found at the wheel of a stolen Pennsylvania automobile.
Sadowski was arrested yesterday by Detective August Pfleiderer after Camden police searched the city for the elusive car since Monday when it was stolen in Philadelphia.
The car was sighted Wednesday by a Parkside resident who called police but the machine disappeared again before detectives arrived. The car, a 1938 Packard coupe, is owned by John Holdstein, of 7614 Brewer avenue, Philadelphia.
Sadowski's last escapade with the police occurred when he was given a sentence of 20 years in State's prison which was suspended by Judge Forman on the gunman's plea he “had a job.”
Judge Forman placed the youth on probation for five years after a jury found him guilty as the getaway driver in the $4119 robbery of the First National Bank of Marlton. At that time Sadowski had just finished a two-year term in the state prison for holdup near Atlantic City. He was convicted on two indictments in the bank hold-up and sentenced to 20 years on each count. Judge Forman ruled the sentences would run concurrently and ordered probation in each instance.
The machine in which Sadowski was arrested was first reported in front of 1310 Park boulevard by Calvin Hunsingur, who called police giving them the license number. Detectives Clifford and William Casler told Hunsingur to watch the car until they could send a tow wagon out for it. A few minutes later Hunsingur saw a young man get into the machine and drive it away.
Detectives Stand Watch
The next time it was reported seen in Camden was at 4 p. m. yesterday when George Mayo, of 812 Kaighn avenue, called and said the car was in front of 824 Kaighn avenue and had been there since 6 a. m. Pfleiderer with Detectives Carr and Joseph Mardino and Detective Sergeant Thomas Murphy went to the address and tore out a wire from the distributor to prevent the machine from being started. They then took stands to watch for anyone entering the machine. At 5.30 p. m., when no one appeared Sgt. Murphy, Carr and Mardino returned to the Detective Bureau leaving Pfleiderer standing at Ninth street and Kaighn avenue.
At 6.30 p. m., Pfleiderer said, he noticed someone get into the machine and try to start it. The detective with gun drawn approached the driver and told him he was under arrest. Pfleiderer immediately recognized the man as Sadowski.
When the detective accosted Sadowski, the youth is alleged to have pleaded with Pfleiderer to shoot him and kill him instead of returning him to state prison. “Go ahead and shoot me,” cried Sadowski, according to Pfleiderer. “I would rather be shot than go back to prison.”
Pleads Innocence
Last night while Sadowski was in the detention cell in Detective Bureau he paced the floor constantly, pleading with detectives he was innocent and not to send him back to prison.
The gunman's criminal career began in January, of 1933, when he was arrested for stealing an automobile in Camden and attempting to rob a Mantua chain store.
In 1934 Sadowski was arrested with five others for the holdup of the Public Service bus garage at Fifteenth and Mickle streets and robbery of the cashier of more than $300. He was found guilty of participation and sentenced from seven to 10 years in prison and released on parole in July, last year after serving less than four years.
On his release Sadowski was arrested again for the Marlton bank robbery in which he and three others escaped with $4000. The others were Stanley Krause, Stanley Geda and John Lenkowsky. The four bandits were the same quartet which robbed the Public Service Garage. Each was arrested as he was released from prison. Krause and Geda both drew suspended sentences on March 21, before Judge Frank A. Hendrickson after entering pleas of non vult on the bank holdup charges.
At the time when the four pleaded guilty to the garage holdup, they also admitted robberies of the Genova Cafe, Third and Arch streets, and of the Mantua chain store.
Detectives last night were attempting to link Sadowski with the holdup last Tuesday afternoon of the Dublin National Bank, at Dublin, Pa. Three bandits, all armed and two of them masked, cowed a woman employee and a customer into a corner and forced the cashier, Henry Schanbacker, to hand over $3500 in cash from the cashier's cage.
Old Holdup Charge Keeps Youth in Jail
Camden Courier-Post —
Stanley Krause, 22, was held in county jail here last night awaiting arraignment today on a robbery charge.
Krause and Stanley Geda, 24, both of Camden, drew suspended sentences yesterday after pleading non vult to a charge of holding up and robbing the Marlton National Bank in 1934. After Judge Frank A. Hendrickson disposed of the case, Krause was turned over to Camden police.
Both were released from State Prison in Trenton several days ago, where they had been sentenced to from five to 10 years for holding up a Public Service garage at Fifteenth and Mickle streets in Camden. This occurred three days after Krause and Geda, with two other men, held up the bank.
Geda was released after being placed on probation.
John Lenkowsky and Mitchell Sadowski, also arrested in the garage holdup, have yet to complete their sentences. At the time the four pleaded guilty to the garage holdup, they also admitted robberies of the Genova Cafe, Third and Arch streets, and of a Gloucester grocery.
Gunmen in Philadelphia Murder Colozzi in Numbers War
Camden Courier-Post —
Westmont Victim Reported to Have Been Aide of Klosterman
SCARDUZIO DEATH TIEUP ALSO SEEN
A reputed employee of Fred Klosterman, Camden numbers baron, was shot and killed in Philadelphia last night in what police there believed was an inter-city fight for control of the numbers racket. The dead man was Joseph Colozzi, 49, of Westmont, known in the underworld and police circles as a “cheap thief.” While Captain John Murphy, of the Philadelphia vice squad, expressed belief the slaying of Colozzi and shooting last sunday of Klosterman were related, County Detective Chief Lawrence T. Doran was working on another angle.
Doran said Colozzi had been closely associated during the last 10 days with John Lenkowski, 22, a fugitive wanted here in connection with the murder of Andrew Scarduzio. “Both of them were convicted of similar offenses—thievery, and they apparently were hooked up together lately. I could not say whether either of them ever was in the numbers racket.”
Philadelphia police, however, seemed certain Colozzi was shot as a result of a new “numbers war.” They said they had information that the dead man apparently was in the employ of a Camden numbers bank. Credence was given the report that local numbers barons are attempting to “muscle in” on the “Philadelphia play” when Irving Bickel, 34, who admits being friendly with Klosterman, was arrested yesterday.
New Setup Alleged
Bickel, Murphy said, declared he had been contacting numbers writers in Philadelphia to inform them of a “new setup” and invite them to join. Detective Sergeant Benjamin Simon and Detective Edwin Mills questioned Bickel in Philadelphia yesterday and said he admitted “knowing Klosterman” but denied he worked for him. Simon and Mills were in Philadelphia again today working on the Colozzi shooting to ascertain whether there was any connection between the slaying and shooting of Klosterman on Sunday.
Colozzi was murdered at Eleventh and Carpenter Streets, South Philadelphia, last night. The top of his head was blasted by shotgun slugs to end a career in crime that extended over 30 years, with at least 30 arrests. Colozzi's body was found lying across the trolley tracks in a darkened section near the Bartlett Junior High School.
His police record dates back to 1904, when as a child of 12 he was committed to the Glen Mills, Pa. Home for Boys for petty larceny. He served 19 months. In 1909 he was given a two-month sentence in the Montgomery county jail at Norristown, PA, after another conviction for larceny. The stiffest sentence he ever got was on December 13, 1934 when Judge Frank F. Neutze sent him and an accomplice to state prison for robbing a coat factory at 7 South 3rd Street four months before. In passing sentence on the much arrested “Manayunk Joe,” Judge Neutze put aside pleas the prisoner was the father of eight children and sent him “up the river” for a term of six to seven years.
“You're a typical criminal and a menace to the public,” Judge Neutze said in a searing rebuke. “A light sentence won't do you any good. Your record is one of the longest shown to me since I have been on the bench. You represent a type that is better off behind bars, for outside of prison you are a menace to the public. I'll go the limit with you.”
Colozzi's last brush with the law, according to the Philadelphia police records, was last Spring when he was implicated in a dress robbery. He was freed in September after serving part of his sentence.