Leon Grenkwicz
LEON GRENKWICZ was born on June 11, 1915 to Blanche and Konstanty Grinkiewicz. The family name has been spelled a number of different ways including Grynkiewicz, Grienkiewicz, and Grinkiewicz. The family was living at 1469 Louis Street by January of 1920 and in April of 1930. Besides Leon, there was an older brother Constantine, younger sister Jessie, and baby brother Sigmund. Konstanty Grenkwicz worked as a laborer in one of Camden’s leather factories. Two more sisters, Helen and Regina, came by 1930. The family remained at the Louis Street address well into the 1930s.
Things started to go wrong for Leon Grenkwicz at an early age. In November of 1930 he skipped school with two friends, Meyer Albert and Theodore Jackucki, in order to go hunting with Leon’s brother’s shotgun. Meyer Albert was holding the gun when it discharged, killing the Jackucki boy.
Not long afterwards Leon Grenkwicz got involved with a group of young men who became somewhat notorious for their criminal activities. These included Joseph Putek, Stanley Geda, Leroy Jenkins, all of whom apparently frequented a poolroom at 1301 Decatur Street owned by Nicholas Kubiak. He was mentioned in the local newspapers of the day a number of times, and apparently was well-known to police in Camden and elsewhere in the 1930s and 1940s. He was arrested and questioned as a material witness in connection with a payroll robbery in 1933. A dozen years later he was sitting in a parked car with Romeo DeSanctis when gunmen in a passing vehicle machine-gunned the pair. De Sanctis died immediately, while Leon Grenkwicz, although wounded, escaped with his life, shot in the hands and face.
Last a resident of East Camden, Leon Grenkwicz died on December 13, 1994. Brother Sigmund, whose last address was in Maple Shade, New Jersey, died the following year.
Youth Is Killed As Three ‘Skip’ School to Hunt
Camden Courier-Post —
Boy Shot in Head When Companion Fires at Quail
GUN TRAGEDY OCCURS IN PENNSAUKEN TWP.
Three South Camden Lads Quizzed By Cops and Prosecutor
A hunting expedition by three Camden boys ended tragically today when one, in firing a shotgun at a rising quail, killed a second who suddenly placed himself between the muzzle of the weapon and the target.
The dead boy was Theodore Jakucki, 14, of 1207 Whitman avenue.
The youth said by the police to have fired the shot that killed the Jakucki boy is Meyer Albert, 16, of 1186 Kaighn avenue. With him was Leon Grenkwicz, 15, of 1469 Louis street.
According to the story told the Pennsauken police, the three “hookeyed” school today and left early on a shooting trip. They made their way out Mariton pike to the old Welch farm.
Borrowed Gun Used
The youth said he had borrowed a shotgun belonging to his brother, Constant, 19. Albert was carrying the gun and Jakucki was walking in the lead when the quail suddenly took to the air with a whirr of wings. Jakucki stooped suddenly either to pick up something or to tie his shoe. With the discharge of the gun he straightened up and received the full charge in his head, which was partly blown away.
Another gunner, whose name was not obtained, appeared as Jakucki fell to the ground. The boys asked him to send somebody to get the youth to a hospital.
The Pennsauken township police were summoned and the body was removed to police headquarters. The body was examined by Coroner Melvin Cain.
The two boys with Constant Grenkwicz were taken to the office of Prosecutor Baldwin by Detective Fiore Troncone, who questioned them. They told the same story they had told the Pennsauken police.
Word to Family Delayed
Although the tragedy occurred before 10 a. m. and although Albert and the Grenkwicz brothers were taken to the prosecutor’s office before 11 o’clock the family of the dead boy had not been informed of what had happened until shortly before noon.
Then, a reporter, seeking a picture of Jakucki, sought out the correct address which until then had not been obtained, and found the family ignorant of Theodore’s death.
The reporter asked if the home was that of Theodore. “Yes, but don’t worry,” said Mrs. Jakucki, “he’s in school all right.” The woman thought the reporter was a truant officer.
Members of the family, who had been awaiting the preparation of the noon-day meal, had been laughing and singing and listening to the radio. When the reporter asked for the picture the others crowded about to know what had happened.
The reporter said merely that the boy had been hurt and that someone ought to go to the office of the prosecutor.
The dead boy’s family includes his mother and father, three sisters, Viola, 19, Lucy, 5, and Helen, 4, and two brothers, Joseph, 13, and Sigmund, 12. Theodore was a first-year student in the Camden Vocational School, where he was studying to be an automobile mechanic.
Albert and the Grenkwiczs boys were released by the prosecutor after statements had been obtained from them.
4 Youths Held in Holdup at Radio Plant
Camden Courier-Post —
2 in Jail at Time ‘in on Plot,’ Cops’ Say; Booked as Witnesses
PAIR CAUGHT IN PENNA. TO FACE CHARGE TODAY
Condenser Company Payroll Robbery Planned in April, Sleuths Reveal
Two Camden youths, released from Camden county jail, were held by local police yesterday on suspicion of implication in the $11,790 holdup of the Radio Condenser Company, Thorne and Copewood streets, last Friday.
They are Leon Grinkewicz, 18, of 1469 Louis Street, and Stanley Geda, 19, of 1273 Whitman Avenue.
Although both denied knowledge of the payroll holdup, detectives said they admitted having been close pals of Le Roy Jenkins, 23, of 1161 Mechanic Street, and Joseph Putek, 23, of 1462 Louis Street, who were arrested in Lykens, Pa., on Monday.
Grinkewicz and Geda are being held on suspicion but, according to Detectives Clarence Arthur; Benjamin Simon and Clifford Del Rossi, they will be charged today with being material witnesses, while Jenkins and Putak will be charged with the holdup and will be arraigned in police court.
Grinkwicz and Geda were arrested yesterday morning on their release from county jail. They had been committed May 9 by Recorder Joseph Patton, of Haddon Heights, for 30 days on charges of loitering with intent to steal. They were questioned all day by detectives.
Detectives said they learned Jenkins and Putak were with Grinkewicz and Geda in Haddon Heights “to do a job” but that the other two disappeared when Grinkwicz and Geda were arrested. Although they were in the county jail at the time, the detectives said they learned they had participated with Jenkins and Putak in planning the Radio Condenser job five weeks ago.
Pancoast Refuses to Let Cops Bare Holdup Evidence
Camden Courier-Post —
Police Judge Then Holds Two Camden Suspects Without Bail
CASH NOT RECOVERED
After refusing defense counsel’s request that the city police bare their evidence, Police Judge Pancoast yesterday held two suspects without bail in the recent $11,790 Radio Condenser Company holdup and two other youths as material witnesses.
Frank M. Lario, attorney for the quartet, appeared in police court yesterday with William McDonald, court stenographer, and declared he wanted the police through witnesses on the stand, to reveal what evidence they have in the robbery.
But when Judge Pancoast asked Lario if he was willing to have the prisoners submit to cross examination by the court the attorney refused. Judge Pancoast thereupon declared that the formal complaints against the defendants were sufficient to establish a prima facie case, that no hearing was necessary and that the police therefore were not obliged to disclose any testimony.
Leroy Jenkins, 23, and Joseph Putek, 23, who gave addresses at 1113 Mechanic Street and 1212 Lansdowne Avenue, respectively, were committed to the county jail without bail on charges of holdup and robbery. They pleaded not guilty.
Those held as material witnesses were Leon Grenkwicz, 18, of 1469 Louis Street, and Stanley Geda, 19, of 1273 Whitman Avenue. Lario pointed out they were in jail when the holdup occurred but, Judge Pancoast said he would hold them for the prosecutor’s office which would probably fix bail for them.
City Detective Benjamin Simon, who signed the complaints, stated prior to the hearing that he has obtained information from North Jersey which is vital to his investigation of the robbery. But he would not reveal its nature.
None of the money stolen by the bandits, who herded 11 persons in a vault after forcing one of them to open the safe containing the payroll, has been recovered by the police.
Holdup Suspects Free in Bail of $3000
Camden Courier-Post —
Held without bail for the Grand Jury by Police Judge Pancoast, two suspects in the $11,790 Radio Condenser Company payroll holdup were ordered released in $3000 bail by Prosecutor Clifford A. Baldwin yesterday.
Judge Pancoast remanded Leroy Jenkins, 23, and Joseph Putek, 23, who gave their addresses as 1113 Mechanic Street and 1212 Lansdowne Avenue, respectively, to jail after defense counsel failed in an effort to have the city police reveal their evidence against the men.
Two others refused bail as material witnesses in the holdup by Judge Pancoast were released in $500 bail by Prosecutor Baldwin. They are Leon Grenkwicz, 19, of 1469 Louis Street, and Stanley Geda, 19, of 1273 Whitman Avenue.
Counsel representing Jenkins and Putek appeared before Baldwin and asked that the bail be set, inasmuch as the police had not disclosed any evidence against them.
Fifth Suspect Held in Payroll Holdup
Camden Courier-Post —
Police Say Pool Room Owner Knew of Robbery Plot
A fifth man was arrested in the recent Radio Condenser Company $11,790 payroll holdup and held as a material witness yesterday after city detectives alleged he attempted to escape from them in his automobile. He is Nicholas Kubiak, 34, of 1301 Decatur street, owner of a pool room on the corner of Decatur and Norris streets. Arraigned before Judge Pancoast in police court, Kubiak was committed to the county jail without bail as a witness.
City Detectives Benjamin Simon, Clifford Del Rossi and Clarence Arthur stated they went to the pool room this morning and told Kubiak he was under arrest. He accompanied them to the sidewalk and suddenly stepped into his own automobile parked at the curb. The detectives said he started the engine, whereupon the police car was driven in front of him so he couldn’t move. Simon declared that he jumped on the running board of Kubiak’s car and reached in to grab the ignition key. Kubiak tried to push him off the running board, Simon said, and the key was obtained only after a tussle.
Simon said he has three statements signed by persons who charged they heard Kubiak declare the holdup was planned in his poolroom and that Leroy Jenkins and Joseph Putek were the actual bandits. Jenkins and Putek are charged with the holdup and are held under $3000 bail each. The bail was fixed by Prosecutor Baldwin.
Two other youths, arrested as material witnesses in the case, were released by Prosecutor Baldwin today under $500 bail each. They are Leon Grenwicz, 18, of 1469 Louis Street, and Stanley Geda, 19, of 1273 Whitman avenue.
Pair Held for Jury in Theft of Liquor
Camden Courier-Post —
Charged with possession of stolen goods, Leon Grenkwicz, 21, of 1213 Louis Street, and George Sanders, 22, of 307 Walnut street, Haddonfield, yesterday were held without bail for the grand Jury by Police Judge Lewis Liberman.
Charges were placed against them by Detective Benjamin Simon after they had been arrested in Audubon for being drunk and disorderly. Simon said his investigation indicated they were the men who, on September 25, stole a liquor truck belonging to James Thompson, wholesale beverage dealer, from Fourth and Arch streets, where it was parked.
Simon said that he has the sworn statement of Hugh Gaffney, of 3 Albertson avenue, Westmont, and John Whelan, of 831 Linden street, that Grenkwicz tried to sell him some of the stolen liquor, for which Thompson is the sole agent in Camden.
Furthermore, said Simon, he has the evidence of a Merchantville man and his sister, whose names he did not reveal, that Sanders sold them a case of the same brand.
Man Pleads Guilty in Shane Robbery
Camden Courier-Post —
Four Other Suspects Deny Guilt When Arraigned Before Neutze
One of five suspects held in the $10,380 robbery of Mrs. Mary Shane, wife of a Camden motor vehicle agent, entered guilty pleas to two of four indictments yesterday before Judge Frank F. Neutze. The others pleaded not guilty to all four counts.
Frank Gromacki, 28, of 412 Broadway, pleaded guilty to larceny from person and highway robbery without instilling fear in the victim. He entered not guilty pleas to conspiracy and highway robbery and instilling fear.
The other suspects are Stanley N. Powell, 28, of 1256 Whitman Avenue; Harry Gassel, 27, of 1282 Liberty Street; Leon Grenkwicz, 23, of 1469 Louis Street, and Edward Giedrye, 21, of Mt. Ephraim Avenue and Liberty Street.
Mrs. Shane, wife of Samuel Shane, who served as motor vehicle agent at 1289 Kaighn Avenue, was robbed on January 2, near the American National Bank, Broadway south of Kaighn Avenue. She was about to enter the bank to deposit $8930 in cash and $1450 in checks, representing receipts from motor vehicle licenses issued at the agency on December 31. A bag containing money was snatched from her hand.
Approximately $6000 has not been recovered.
Gassel was continued in $5000 bail while the others were returned to cells to await trial. Gassel’s car was alleged to have been used by the others in fleeing from the robbery.
Judge Neutze said Gromacki “will be given consideration” when sentence is imposed as a result of his two guilty pleas.
Cpl. Sigmund Grienkiewicz
Camden Courier-Post —
Cpl. Sigmund Grienkiewicz, 24, son of Mrs. Konstance Grienkiewicz, of 117 Pershing road, Brooklawn, is a gunner in the Army Air Corp at Fort Myers, Fla. He attended Camden High school and was employed by the R. M. Holingshead Company prior to his induction.
Police Seek ‘Break’ in Sadowski Death
Camden Courier-Post —
Vengeance by Quinn and Doublecross Seen as Likely Motives
Police today were hopeful of a “lucky break” which might help them to solve the slaying of Mitchell Sadowski, 27-year-old ex-convict shot to death here Friday midnight.
While they were following up every clue, however meagre, the investigators admitted they were without any definite leads to the identity of the killer.
Local and county detectives were investigating the possibility that Sadowski was killed by or on orders of Mickey Quinn, recently escaped holdup man, or by someone else in reprisal for a recent $1800 holdup allegedly perpetrated by Sadowski.
Sadowski was killed by shotgun blasts through the right eye, head and side as he left the Camden Pottery plant, Mt. Vernon and Orchard streets, where he was employed as a kiln operator.
Doublecross Suspected
City Detective Thomas Murphy said he had been informed Sadowski had held up a Camden sportsman and robbed him of $1800 which the latter won in a dice game. Murphy also said he was investigating the possibility Sadowski was killed in reprisal for that job as well as the alternative that Sadowski may have doublecrossed the Quinn mob in giving information on the Casablanca roadhouse holdup.
Sadowski has a criminal record dating back to 1933, when, at the age of 14, he was arrested for auto theft and attempted robbery of a chain store.
He was out on probation and parole from a sentence for the $4119 holdup of the First National Bank of Marlton when on June 14, 1939, he was picked up by Detective Gus Pfleiderer in a stolen car. Pfleiderer walked up to Sadowski as he was sitting in the parked car on Kaighn avenue near Mt. Ephraim avenue. As Pfleiderer walked up to him, Sadowski attempted to escape. Pfleiderer drew his gun and warned Sadowski he would shoot.
“Go Ahead, Kill Me”
“Go ahead and shoot and kill me,” the parolee answered, according to Pfleiderer. “I’d rather be killed than go back to state prison.” Pfleiderer said Sadowski threw away a pair of dark glasses and tried to hide a flashlight as he was awaiting the patrol car.
Police records show Sadowski has been involved in at least four holdup and robbery arrests and a series of attempted burglaries.
Detectives said they fear other Camden police characters and one from Philadelphia may meet Sadowski’s fate if his killers are not located quickly. One of the men said to be “on the spot” is Leon Grenkwicz, 30, of Bellmawr, who was shot March 22, 1945, when Romeo De Sanctis, star witness in the Casablanca robbery, was slain by gang guns. Grenkwicz recovered from the shooting but police have not been able to locate him since.
De Sanctis Dies in Parked Car, Pal Wounded
Camden Evening Courier —
Police Character Arrested in Night Slaying of Grand Jury Witness
VICTIM SPURNED TIP TO KEEP ALIVE IN JAIL
Camden police early today arrested a Delaware township ex-convict for investigation in the slaying last night of Romeo DeSantis, star witness against suspects in the recent Casablanca roadhouse holdup.
DeSanctis, released on bail last week as a material witness to the holdup, was killed as he sat with a companion in a parked car, a few hours after he testified before the grand jury in connection with the holdup.
The companion, Leon Grenkwicz, a well-known police character, is in critical condition in West Jersey hospital from bullet wounds of the face. He walked three blocks to the hospital from the scene of the shooting on Mt. Ephraim avenue near Kaighn.
Warned to Stay In Jail
Joseph C. Putek, 35, who has a record of 12 arrests and several convictions on charges that include holdup and robbery, was taken into custody today at his home on Fulton street by Captain Koerner and Detective Carr, of the Camden police. He was booked on suspicion and for investigation. He insisted he was in Philadelphia when DeSanctis was shot.
Prosecutor Mariano said DeSanctis was killed because he testified before the grand jury. Released from jail when his bail was reduced from $50,000 to $7000 as a result of a writ obtained by his family, DeSanctis met a fate feared by the authorities, Mariano revealed. “I told him he had better stay in custody,” the prosecutor said. “I warned him he might be killed.”
“Let Us Have It”
Grenkwicz, conscious in the hospital, told police he and DeSanctis were seated in his car, facing north. He said a large, dark colored sedan drew alongside and just ahead of his car.
A man holding a gun, Grenkwicz said, leaned out of the window and “let us have it.” Police said the weapon was either a machinegun or a sawed-off shotgun with extra large buck shot as ammunition.
“I was a damned fool to be with DeSanctis,” Grenkwicz added.
The left side of DeSanctis’ head, police said, was nearly blown off. Grenkwicz was struck in the face and left hand.
Slugs Rip Through Auto
Slugs tore through the left door and window, the windshield and hood of the car and some struck a plate glass window of a bakery at 1212 Mt. Ephraim avenue, directly behind the car.
The killers’ car continued north on Mt. Ephraim avenue, turned east on Kaighn avenue and disappeared. A police alarm description of the auto was broadcast immediately.
The shooting occurred 80 yards from an alleged speakeasy DeSanctis is said to have operated on Mt. Ephraim avenue and only about 300 yards from Cappy’s Restaurant, 1105 Kaighn avenue, where Stephen Burns, now under arrest as a suspect in the roadhouse holdup, was employed as night manager. Burns was arrested Feb. 14 as he left the restaurant.
Patrolman Oliver Morgan reported he saw DeSanctis in the restaurant between 6 and 6.30 p.m. last night. Prosecutor Mariano immediately ordered police to obtain the names of all persons in the eating house yesterday. Mariano said Grenkwicz denied he was in the restaurant.
Charles Cook, a city fireman, of 1142 Mt. Ephraim avenue, near Kaighn avenue, ran to the scene from his home after hearing the shooting.
Cook and four employes, two women and two men, of Cappy’s restaurant, made statements last night in Mariano’s office, where county, city and state police assembled to coordinate their investigation.
“Cappy” Roman, proprietor of the restaurant, later was questioned. Roman, police said, told them both DeSanctis and Grenkwicz ate dinner in his place last night about 6 o’clock.
Freed in $7000 Bail
DeSanctis, who lived at 1351 Decatur street, was released about 10 days ago in $7000 bail as a material witness in the Casablanca holdup. The roadhouse was held up at 2.55 a.m. Feb. 27 when five masked bandits herded 50 or 60 patrons into the kitchen and robbed them of their money and emptied the club cash registers.
Leaving the roadhouse, the bandits singled out DeSanctis and ordered him to accompany them as a hostage. When they reached the outside, however, they were fired upon by Delaware township policeman Power. DeSanctis dropped to the ground as the bandits escaped in a waiting car, which had been spotted by the policeman.
DeSanctis was arrested later in the day and held incommunicado for seven days before he was arraigned as a material witness and held in $50,000 bail. DeSanctis’ family later obtained a writ of habeas corpus and subsequently he was released in $7000 bail.
Meanwhile, police arrested Burns, Leonard Lutz and James McBride, all ex-convicts, as suspects in the robbery.
McBride Brought to Camden
McBride was lodged in a cell in Camden jail today after being extradited from Philadelphia. Extradition proceedings were delayed by an application in his behalf for a writ of habeas corpus, but at a hearing on the writ before Judge Brown in Philadelphia this morning, the suspect’s attorney, Louis F. McCabe, withdrew the writ after stating identification had been established for extradition purposes. McBride then was turned over to Mariano and County Detectives Mulligan and Dube and brought to Camden.
Burns and Lutz are in the county jail awaiting action of the grand jury.
It was reported that testimony given the grand jury yesterday by DeSanctis was for the purpose of obtaining indictments against Burns and Lutz.
Grenkwicz, who gave his address as 118 Pershing road, Brooklawn, has a long police record including holdup and robbery. He was arrested in 1933 as a suspect in the $11,000 holdup of the Radio Condenser Co.
Holdup Witness Is Slain in Car
Trenton Times —
Few Hours Before He Had Testified in Roadhouse Robbery Case
CAMDEN — (AP) — A shower of machine gun bullets killed Romeo DeSanctis, 28, in a Camden street last night, a few hours after he testified before a grand jury investigating a roadhouse holdup.
Viewing his body at the morgue, Camden County Prosecutor Gene R. Mariano said: “That man lies dead because he testified before the jury this afternoon.”
The machine gun barked out from a speeding sedan, which roared away. Half a dozen bullets ripped through a parked automobile in which DeSanctis was seated with Leon Gronkowicz, 28, of Brooklawn. De Sanctis, hit in the head, died immediately. Gronkowicz was wounded, bullets mangling his fingers and face.
DeSanctis was the State’s star witness in the $4,000 holdup of patrons at the Casablanca roadhouse, opposite the Garden State Park race track, last February 7.
After five bandits, three bearing sub-machine guns, rifled the pockets of patrons, one beckoned to De Sanctis, a patron, to leave with them, and addressed him by his first name. The robbers let him go when a gun battle developed with a policeman who chanced on the scene. They escaped.
De Sanctis was arrested as a material witness and held in $50,000 bail. He protested the high bail. It was reduced to $7,000, and he posted it and was released.
“I told him he had better stay in jail,” Mariano said.
“I’m a damned fool for being with DeSanctis tonight,” Gronkowicz said after the shooting.
After questioning DeSanctis last month, police arrested three men on charges of holdup and robbery. They are Leonard Lutz, 47, and Stephen Burns, 30, both of Camden, and James McBride, 39, of Philadelphia.
Murder Fails to Balk Probe of Casablanca
Camden Evening Courier —
Hunt for Robbers Goes on Despite Gang Death of Witness DeSanctis
MARIANO ORDERS SEARCH PRESSED
By WALTER N. CARLEY
Declaring the death of Romeo DeSanctis will not hamper the Casablanca holdup investigation, Prosecutor Mariano last night ordered the search intensified for three remaining suspects.
Mariano admitted the slaying of DeSanctis, killed by gang bullets Thursday night, will make it more difficult to effect a complete solution to the case, but added police knew the identity of two of the remaining suspects and were hopeful of identifying the last man and bringing all to justice.
The prosecutor made it clear that he had, without the aid of DeSanctis, enough evidence to send the Casablanca holdup perpetrators to prison.
Visibly irked by the gangland killing of an important witness, Mariano called a conference of police chiefs and officials of Camden city and county to discuss ways and means of “ridding the county and city of all undesirables.”
Companion Near Death
Meanwhile, Leon Grenkwicz, shot in the face and hand as he sat in the car with DeSanctis, was reported in a dying condition at West Jersey hospital. Members of Mariano’s office and city police sat for eight hours yesterday beside Grenkwicz’s bed, hopeful he might give some clues to the shooting.
After the long vigil, police announced Grenkwicz had remained silent except to say “I shouldn’t have been with DeSanctis. I got a bum deal.”
Early yesterday police took into custody Joseph C. Putek, 35, for questioning. Police said Putek was arrested because he was an inseparable companion of Grenkwicz. Putek, they said, has a long police record and while he has been in custody on several occasions, he never gave much information but stuck to the gangland code of not talking.
Will Talk Plainly
In referring to the police official conference, which has been called for 2 p.m. Wednesday in the prosecutor’s office, Mariano said, “I am not going to mince words at this conference. I am going to cite an act which gives the prosecutor the right to go into any municipality and take over the police supervision unless certain things are done and done immediately.
“I don’t like what has been going on in the city and certain spots in the county and I am going to see just what can be done to chase the known ‘hoodlums’ from our midst. I am calling this conference in the daytime in order that every police chief in the county will be able to attend.”
See Grenkwicz As Target in Gang Slaying
Camden Evening Courier —
Sleuths Unearth Evidence Indicating DeSanctis Was Not ‘Marked Man’
DEATH PELLETS FIRED AT LEFT SIDE OF CAR
Detectives investigating the gangland murder of Romeo “Rocco” DeSanctis today reportedly were working on the theory that killers were not bent on slaying DeSanctis but were after the man who, so far, has survived the shooting, Leon Grenkwicz.
The new line of reasoning was said to have resulted from a number of circumstances in the case, all of which indicate the death of the dapper former speakeasy proprietor was a miscarriage of “gang justice.”
The principal of these circumstances, detectives said, is the heretofore unrevealed fact that DeSanctis’ own automobile was parked less than 25 feet in front of Grenkwicz’ car and that the killers obviously knew it was there.
If they were after DeSanctis, it is explained, they would have waited until he left the Grenkwicz car and got into his own rather than take the chance of shooting at him and hitting Grenkwicz.
Meanwhile, a squad of armed Camden and state police today were on guard in the Camden Criminal court at the trial of Stephen Burns, 36, who is under arrest as a suspect in the Casablanca holdup. Burns is accused of two other crimes, including highway robbery. He is represented by Walter S. Keown.
Two state policemen in uniform, three state police detectives, two city policemen in uniform, and the entire county detective force were in and around the courtroom to augment the regular court attendants.
Attacked on Grenkwicz’s Side
Another pertinent point discounting the theory that DeSanctis was murdered because he “talked” before the grand jury in the Casablanca roadhouse holdup is the fact that the gunmen came almost to a stop as they reached a point opposite the driver’s seat of Grenkwicz’s car and then opened fire, the detectives believe.
If DeSanctis was their real target, it was pointed out, they would not have started shooting until they got clear of Grenkwicz, who was behind the wheel. Most of the bullet holes are in the left front door of Grenkwicz’s car.
The investigators contend that the gunmen might have had any number of causes for wanting to kill Grenkwicz. They characterize him as “a tough customer,” fearing nothing or nobody.
Suspected in Big Stickups
The sleuths are trying to connect Grenkwicz with a series of recent craps game holdups in Camden county as well as a number of individual stickups of “big money boys.”
Since Grenkwicz has been in the West Jersey hospital at the point of death, at least one detective has been at his side constantly hoping he will give information to help solve the case. Up to now, he has merely told them he “got a bum deal.”
Grenkwicz’s condition today was reported as still very critical. He has had a number of blood transfusions and is given only a slight chance of recovering.
Police Chief Frost revealed last night detectives will mingle in the crowds to attend the viewing tonight and the funeral of De Sanctis at 11 a.m. tomorrow at his late home, 1351 Decatur street, detectives also will be at the burial rites in new St. Mary’s cemetery, Bellmawr, in hopes of recognizing “underworld” henchmen, who venture to either scene, which is their usual custom when one of their “pals” dies.
Following the attempt at jail break by Maurice Kirby, 37, of 325 Cooper street, and Raymond Whitmore, 24, of 218 Arch street, last Wednesday in an elevator while being taken from the jail to the courtroom, Prosecutor Mariano announced extra precautions are being taken to prevent gangsters or gunmen from liberating Burns at his trial today.
Burns went on trial for atrocious assault and battery and attempted robbery of Fred De Marco, proprietor of the Rustic Inn, Route 40, Marlton pike, and for holdup and highway robbery of Laurence G. Scrufer, gasoline station proprietor, of Dudley and Federal streets.
Police arrested Burns, Leonard Lutz and James McBride, all ex-convicts as principals in the Casablanca holdup. De Sanctis is believed to have revealed to the grand jury the names of the other two men in the place while the patrons were being relieved of their money and jewels.
It also was authoritatively learned last night that county detectives, state police and FBI agents are continuing their search for three remaining Casablanca gunmen.
The prosecutor questioned Joseph C. Putek, 35, a police character with 12 arrests to his record, over the weekend. Mariano did not reveal if he shed any light on the murder of De Sanctis.
Konstanty Grinkiewicz
Camden Courier-Post —
KONSTANTY GRINKIEWICZ
Konstanty Grinkiewicz, 63, of 7153 Chandler avenue, Pennsauken, died Monday at the home of a son, Sigmund, with whom he lived. He had been ill for three years and was a retired leatherworker. Mr. Grinkiewicz had lived in the Camden area for 80 years. Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Virginia Karpiak, of Audubon Park; Mrs. Helen Fischer, of Runnemede, and Mrs. Jessie Malatesta, of Haddonfield; three sons, Leon, of Camden; Constant, of Wildwood, and Sigmund, of the Pennsauken address, and 10 grandchildren. Friends will meet at the Robert J. Blake funeral home, 851 Haddon avenue, Thursday at 8 a.m. Requiem high Mass will be sung at St. Joseph’s R. C. Church, Tenth and Mechanic streets, at 9 a.m. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s cemetery, Chews Landing. Friends may call at the funeral home, Wednesday evening.
Grenkwicz
Camden Courier-Post —
GRENKWICZ
On December 13, 1994, Leon, Age 79, of Camden, N.J. Dear brother of Jessie Malatesta of Cherry Hill, Sigmund Grienkiewicz of Maple Shade, Helen Fischer of Runnemede and Regina Karpiak of Haddon Hts. Dear friend of Emma Mull of Cherry Hill. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral on Friday at 8:00am at the PREDPELSKI FUNERAL HOME, 983 Haddon Ave., Collingswood, NJ. Mass of Christian Burial at 9:00am at St. Joseph Church 10th and Mechanic St., Camden. Interment St. Joseph Cemetery. Viewing Friday morning from 8:00am to 8:45am at the funeral home.