Joseph Caputi
Joseph Caputi
Joseph Caputi was born in Genoa, Italy on June 4, 1876, and came to the United States in 1890. He appears in the 1910 Census in Camden as owning a home at 827 South 3rd Street in South Camden. He had been married to his wife Rose for 12 years. The Caputi family then included two children, Minnie and William. Joseph Caputi Sr. was then working as a traveling salesman for a cigar company. He had already become an American citizen.
Not long after the 1910 Census was enumerated, Joseph Caputi secured an appointment to the Camden Police Department. A Detective by the end of 1927, he was often partnered with Detective Frank Truax.
The Caputi family had moved to 1012 South 3rd Street by 1914. By the time the census was taken in April of 1930, they had moved to 1263 Park Boulevard in Camden’s Parkside neighborhood, not far from Frank Truax’s home at 1139 Kenwood Avenue.
After an illness of six weeks, Joseph Caputi passed away at a Philadelphia hospital on November 13, 1932. His widow Rose then still resided at 1263 Park Boulevard. Son William Caputi lived at 1311 Park Boulevard, and was involved in real estate in Camden.
Joseph Caputi’s nephew, Joseph V. Caputi, served as a Camden policeman from 1940 to 1970. He retired in 1970 as a Lieutenant of Camden Police Department, then joined the Public Defenders office and became a Principle Investigator. Joseph V. Caputi died on February 25, 1989. His son, Joseph R. Caputi joined the Camden Police Department in 1968, and retired in 2001 as a Sergeant.
Brought Back His Man
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Camden Detective Had Perilous Time Looking for Murderer
After a strenuous time, Special Detective Troncone returned to Camden yesterday with Stefano Torcosso, the Italian who, it is said, shot and killed Nunzioto Imparato last Tuesday, the alleged murderer being locked up in the Camden city jail pending a hearing today before Recorder Stackhouse. Since the night of the murder Troncone had but few hours sleep and he was almost exhausted when he arrived with his prisoner, whom he located in West Virginia.
On the night of the murder Troncone ran out clues, working in Camden and Philadelphia. On Wednesday he searched Torcesso’s home on Chestnut street, and secured a couple of hundred letters. With the aid of Policeman Caputi, he went through these and secured the clue which took him South.
Worth, a mining community where Torcesso had formerly worked, was four miles over a mountain top. There was no way to reach it except by walking. The detective had a most perilous journey, going through ravines filled with ice and snow, and scaling heights which he climbed on his hands and knees. Nearly frozen, he reached Worth and located Torcesso, whom he knew and who was so surprised to see the Camden officer that he made no resistance.
With his prisoner Troncone arrived in Philadelphia yesterday afternoon.
Bee Is Stung for 20 Days
Camden Courier —
There was an unusually big bunch of “drunks” in Police Court dock today, and Recorder Stackhouse was quick in getting rid of the old rounders.
One was a negro named Walter Bee, sent in by Policeman Bostic, for riproaring around Centreville around 4 a.m. Bee was stung for twenty days.
The Domboski brother-in-laws, rounded up by Policeman Caputi, because each wanted the other arrested, when both were loaded on Saturday night, paid fines of $8.75, although one claimed in court that they weren’t “so much drunk.”
Hatred Between Cousins Culminates in Slashing
Camden Courier-Post —
A hatred between cousins that began six months ago culminated last night in a knife battle that may cost the life of Peter Di Pise 35 years old, 325 Walnut street. The man is in Cooper Hospital with his throat slashed. His cousin, George Bongoino, 46 years old, with whom he lived, is held by police.
The hatred of the cousins, according to police, lay in the fear of Di Pise that his cousin would have him deported from this country. It flared up anew last night, police said, in an argument over the Christmas gifts of a woman.
On Christmas Day Mrs. Emma Meincke, 37 years old, 823 Fern street, housekeeper for Bongoino, presented the victim of the attack with a silk shirt and necktie. Police said Mrs. Meincke told them that Di Pise came home intoxicated on Christmas Day and threw the presents in her face telling her he did not want any gifts from her. Yesterday, police said, he again came home intoxicated and Mrs. Meincke told him of the incident on Christmas Day. Di Pise denied he threw the presents in the woman’s face, police said she told them, and she called Antoinette, Bongoino’s eight-year-old daughter, to corroborate her tale.
When the girl derided Di Pise’s actions, police allege he called her a liar. The girl’s father then entered the kitchen. Angry, he started for Di Pise who pushed him on a stove where he was burned by hot water, police said.
Di Pise held Bongoino on the stove a moment and then tried to run, but Bongoino grabbed a potato knife and slashed Di Pise from ear to ear, the woman asserted.
Mrs. Meinke notified police who took Bongoino and Di Pise to Cooper hospital. The former was treated for burns and then taken to police headquarters where he was questioned by Detectives Caputi and Truax.
Detectives said Bongoino had had his cousin arrested six months ago and had threatened to have him deported. It was Di Pise’s fear that his cousin would carry out the threat, according to detectives, that was responsible for the hatred they shared. The woman and the girl were held under $500 bail each as material witnesses and Bongoino is held without bail to await the outcome of his cousin’s injuries.
Uncle Is Accused of Attacking Niece
Camden Courier-Post —
Revelation Comes after Police Inquire Into Family Stabbing Affray
Waiving reading and hearing of a warrant charging him with committing a serious offense on his 14-year old niece, a South Camden man this morning was held in $1500 bail for grand jury.
Joseph Pennino, 50 years old, of 14 South 3rd Street, a hot-dog vendor who has a stand at Third and Arch Streets, went to the county jail in default of the bail fixed by Judge Bertman in police court.
Evidence which City Detectives Frank Truax and Joseph Caputi Sr. obtained from their questioning of Anna Bongino*, of 325 Walnut Street, and which they say involves her uncle, will be presented to a grand jury later.
Pennino’s arrest yesterday followed a day’s investigation of a knife slashing at the Walnut Street house.
George Bongiono, 48 years old, Anna’s father, is being held by police charged with assault with intent to kill Peter Di Pise, his brother-in-law.
Di Pise is recovering from knife wounds at Cooper Hospital, where he was treated following the fight of Sunday night.
Although police had said that Bongiono would be given hearing today, his case was not called in police court.
* Spellings are as they appeared in the article
It was reported in the Bucks County Courier-Times, on January 17, 1929 that Annie Bongiorno was murdered by her uncle. The paper reads: “KILLER-SUICIDE: Photo shows Pietro de Piso, of Camden, N. J. Who, angered by an argument with his niece Annie Bongiorno, 15, seized a pistol and shot her to death.”
Sniper’s Shot Hits Market Street Window
Camden Courier-Post —
Crashes Glass of Barber Shop at No. 210 — Two Boys Escape Missile
Paul W. Draper, owner of a barber shop and beauty parlor at 210 Market street, reported to the detective bureau at 1:30 p. m. today that someone had fired a missile at the front window of the establishment.
Several patrolmen and City Detective Joseph Caputi investigated. They found splinters of glass as far as 20 feet from the window inside the shop, but the hole through the window, no larger than the point of a lead pencil, was so small it precluded the possibility of a bullet or a stone going through the pane.
On the inside of the window the hole was as large as a silver dollar and cracks extended out from it for six inches in all directions.
Draper said he had heard no gun report, but when he rushed outside the shop smelled smoke. Two boys who were passing the place at the time said they had heard something whizz by their heads, Draper told police.
Neither Draper nor the detective were able to find a missile either inside or outside the shop.
Philadelphia police last night arrested an 18-year-old youth, who they thought might be the “phantom sniper.” He was to be questioned by Camden detectives today.
The youth was found hiding near Eighth and Sansom streets. For the past week a sniper has been shooting out windows of buildings between Seventh and Eighth streets on Sansom. The bullets narrowly missed scores of persons.
The youth gave his name as Hyman Tucker, of Twenty-third street, near Cumberland. When arrested he had a small calibre rifle and a number of cartridges. He was taken to City Hall for questioning. Tucker is a night student at Central High School. The arrest was made after detectives had been posted at a vantage point along Sansom street.
Today another driver added himself to the list of some forty odd persons who have been attacked by the phantom.
He is C. C. Schatde of Ocean City. He told Haddonfield police that the sniper shot through his windshield as he was driving along Grove street near the Marlton Pike. Some mysterious missile penetrated the middle of his windshield close to the bottom. It made a hole about the size of a matchstick. Schatde said there was no one in sight and he found no projectile in his car.
5 Firemen Hurt in Traffic Crash
Camden Courier-Post —
Truck Rams Apparatus Speeding to Blaze in Yorkship Square
Five city firemen are in West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital today suffering from injuries when their apparatus collided with a truck at Ninth street and Ferry avenue while they were racing to a Yorkship square fire late yesterday.
All are attached to Engine Company No. 8. They are:
Captain Charles Erickson, 43, of 579 Line street; bruises of the left leg and left hip.
Wallace Phifer, 37, of 1215 Atlantic avenue; possible fractured vertebrae.
Adam Mead, 32, of 1634 Sheridan street; admitted for observation.
Herbert Baxter, 45, of 320 Liberty street; cuts over the left eye and face, bruises on both knees.
Edward Menzis, 36, of 2402 Berwick street; possible fractured skull and cut over the right eye.
Fire Damage $5000
The fire to which they were hurrying damaged the apartment and drug store of V. I. Chestnut, 1200 Yorkship Square. The blaze was confined to the apartment upstairs, but water and smoke caused damage to the store and fixtures. Total loss was estimated at $5000.
The truck which hit the combination fire apparatus was operated by Joseph Scheurer, 22, of 1859 East Ontario street, Philadelphia, and owned by the Stores Realty Company, of 424 North Nineteenth street, Philadelphia.
Failed to Hear Siren
The fire truck driven by Phifer was speeding south on Ninth street while the machine driven by Scheurer was proceeding west on Ferry avenue. Scheurer said he did not hear the siren until he reached the intersection and that it was then too late to stop. The fire engine was turned around by the impact and the five occupants thrown to the street. Both trucks were damaged.
Scheurer was arrested by Detective Joseph Caputi and held in $1000 bail pending a hearing.
A short circuit in an electric heater caused the blaze in the Chestnut apartment. The fire was discovered by Marvin Chestnut, 8, who called to his father downstairs. It was extinguished with little difficulty.
2 Men Pay Fines for Interference
Camden Courier-Post —
Police Say Defendants ‘Butted in’ During Probe Into Accident
Two men were arrested yesterday by a Camden policeman, who charged they interfered with his investigation of an automobile accident at Ninth Street and Kaighn Avenue.
Richard Mayer, 28, of 373 East Gowan Avenue, Mt. Airy, Pa., and Joseph Meraglo, 23, of 1016 South Fourth Street, Philadelphia, were fined $25 each by Police Judge Pancoast. Both were charged with disorderly conduct. Mayer also was charged with reckless driving.
Joseph Devlin, 42, of 1919 Mifflin street, Philadelphia, was held in $1000 bail by Pancoast to await the outcome of injuries suffered by a woman passenger in his car. The woman, who gave her name as Miss Jane Glenn, 36, of 2506 South Twenty-second Street, Philadelphia, is in West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital. Doctors say her condition is not serious.
The accident occurred at 2:20 AM. Motorcycle Policeman Earl Wright and other policemen were at the scene in investigating, when an automobile flashed by. Wright in court said he blew his whistle and declared the car was unable to stop within 100 feet. Wright said he was questioning Mayer when Maraglo “butted in,” and stated, “I’ll get this fixed up tonight.” Wright testified he searched Mayer for a gun and Mayer replied, “I haven’t got it on me tonight.”
In court both Mayer and Meraglo said they were not speeding, and didn’t interfere with the officer.
Devlin was released for court by Detective Joseph Caputi. Devlin’s automobile was in collision with the car of Edward Kaligian, 30, of 1251 North Twenty-eighth street.
Joseph Caputi Dies; Veteran Detective
Camden Courier-Post —
of 2, his parents settling in New York. He came to Camden 35 years ago and for a time served as a justice of the peace in the Fifth ward. He was appointed policeman under former Mayor Charles H. Ellis.
A son, William, is an investigator for the U. S. Department of Justice. Caputo [sic] also is survived by his wife, Rose; a daughter, Mrs. Minerva DaGrossa; a grandson, Warren; a brother, Nicholas, and a sister, Mrs. Anna Palese. He was a member of the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, Masonic Shrine Club, Trimble Lodge, F. and A. M.; Crescent Temple Shrine, Excelsior Consistory, Camden Lodge of Elks, Knights Templar, Camden Aerie Eagles, First Italian Republican League and the Republican clubs of the Thirteenth and Fourteenth wards.
Three Veteran Cops Will Go on Pension as Old Year Fades
Camden Courier-Post —
Painter, James and Stanger to End Long Service in City Employ
ONE ON JOB 49 YEARS
Three veterans of the Camden police department yesterday were granted pensions by the Police and Fire Pension Fund Committee. A widow of another who died recently, also received approval of an application.
Those who applied were Captain A. Lincoln James, attached to police headquarters; Detective John Painter, Camden’s “oldest cop,” and Detective Thomas M. Stanger.
All three will be placed on the retirement list Dec. 30 next. Capt. James will receive $130.66 a month, while the two detectives will each be paid $92.50 monthly pension.
Detective Painter, who is 76 years old, lacks only six months of a half century of service to the city of Camden, having been appointed to the police department in June of 1883. He has been attached to the city detective bureau and, according to his superiors, has been “faithful and efficient.” He figured in a number of widely publicized murder cases.
When he applied for pension Painter stated he took great pride in the fact that during his nearly 50-year service he has never once been “on the carpet.” He gave as his reason for retirement that he has not been feeling well for several months. He resides at 1242 Princess avenue.
Captain James, who is 69 and resides at 922 Cooper street, was appointed to the force March 12, 1892. He gave no reason for his wish to retire.
Stanger, who is 70 and resides with a daughter at Collingswood, has been on the force for nearly 25 years. He is in charge of the Bertillon records at the city detective bureau, having been official “photographer” and finger-printer in many spectacular cases.
Mrs. Rose Caputi, of 1263 Park boulevard, widow of Detective Joseph Caputi, who died last week, applied for and was granted a widow’s pension by the police and fire group. Mrs. Caputi will receive $1000 yearly.