Introduction
STANLEY GEDA was well-known to police in Camden and vicinity in the early 1930s. He was born in New Jersey on September 4, 1914 to Stefan and Sophie Gieda. By the end of 1919 the family owned a home at 1273 Whitman Avenue in Camden. Stefan Gieda then worked as a laborer at a shipyard. He later worked for the John R. Evans Company in North Camden.
By the time Stanley Gieda was 19—he used the Geda surname when he applied for his Social Security Card—he was associating with some very shady characters, including Joseph Putek, Leroy Jenkins, John Lenkowski and Mitchell Sadowski. In June of 1933 he was held as material witness to the June 2, 1933 robbery of the Radio Condenser Company’s payroll at Thorne and Copewood Street. After being released he was again arrested in connection with the break-in at a garage in Collingswood. He was released again for lack of evidence before the month ended. The following year he received a suspended sentence in connection with a hold-up. He was arrested again in October of 1940 in regards to an attempted hold-up of a numbers banker. This appears to have been his last brush with the law.
Stanley Geda was still living at 1273 Whitman Avenue as late as 1959. He was still a resident of Camden when he passed away in February of 1984.
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 Gieda 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 Gieda 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 Gieda in Haddon Heights “to do a job” but that the other two disappeared when Grinkeicz and Gieda were arrested. Although they were in the county jail at the time, the detectives said they learned they had participated with Jenkins and Putek 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.
Simon stated he previously had questioned Kubiak, but could learn nothing to warrant holding the man until he received the statements late last night. Simon said if he had been able to obtain the statements prior to yesterday, he doubted that bail would have been fixed so low.
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.
MAN SHOT BY COP RUNS FROM BUILDING 43 MINUTES LATER
Camden Courier-Post —
Bandits Trapped in Boulevard Garage Ram Through Auto Doors and Flee
Thieves Steal Machine for Getaway; Abandon Own Loaded With Tools
ONE SUSPECT ARRESTED
Shortly after burglars rammed a stolen car through the locked doors of a Collingswood garage early yesterday and fled before shots from police revolvers, one suspect was arrested in Camden and the discovery made that one of the burglars was wounded.
The burglars, either two or three, were surprised shortly before 3:30 a. m. by Sergeant William Ruth and Patrolman Earl Wilson at the Airport Garage, Crescent Boulevard near Haddon Avenue. Three-quarters of an hour after police left the darkened garage, a woman declared she saw a man run from it, his right arm bound in a handkerchief.
The suspect, said to have a police record and now awaiting questioning at Collingswood police headquarters, is Stanley S. Geda, 19, of 1273 Whitman Avenue.
Geda is also suspected by Collingswood police of implication in the theft of three new automobiles last Tuesday from the show rooms of the Community Motors at 622 Haddon Avenue.
Recorder Herbert R. Schooley committed him without bail last night for a further hearing today so that police would have time in which to check Geda’s fingerprints against specimens taken from the three recovered automobiles.
Ruth and Wilson were touring Collingswood in a police car when they found a parked car in the rear of the garage on City Line avenue.
Wilson went to the front of the garage, gun drawn, and called to Patrolman Samuel Bell, who was stationed on the Crescent Boulevard-Haddon Avenue corner. When he returned to the garage, Ruth was entering through a window. Wilson went to another window, in time to see a man inside walking toward Ruth.
When the man refused to halt, Ruth fired and the intruder fell, presumably wounded. Just what happened after that is uncertain because the garage was dark, and many cars were parked inside at all angles. At the sound of a shot another man ran downstairs and a large sedan, parked facing the locked front doors, was started. Before Ruth or Wilson could interfere, the machine rammed its way through the doors and to the boulevard, nearly hitting Bell.
As the car sped away, it was fired on by the three policemen.
Three-quarters of an hour later Mrs. Charles Pinto, of Crescent Boulevard and Haddon Avenue, saw a man run from the garage, his right arm bound in a handkerchief. Mrs. Pinto called to policemen but the wounded man escaped.
Police had thought he was one of two men who escaped in the car. The bandits’ original car was abandoned where it was parked.
Tools, including an electric drill, were found on the floor near the doorway, apparently ready for loading into a machine. The tools included cutters, a hack saw and other equipment. An attempt was being made, it was said, to steal a new car and one of the burglars was attempting to exchange a new battery for the get-away when the police appeared.
Geda was arrested when a car said to have been in his possession and owned by the Watson Shallcross Company was found parked near his home without tags. The arrest was made by Robert Ashenfelter and Clarence Arthur, city detectives.
Geda was arrested as a material witness in the Radio Condenser Company holdup a few weeks ago and is still under bail.
YOUTH FREED IN QUIZ AFTER GARAGE ROBBERY
Camden Courier-Post —
After being detained by police 24 hours for questioning after the robbery of the Airport Garage early yesterday, Stanley Geda, 19, of 1273 Whitman Avenue, was released on “probation” last night by Recorder Herbert R. Schooley, of Collingswood.
The car that crashed the door of the garage to permit the robbers to escape bore license tags issued to Geda. He was arrested at his home by Camden police and turned over to the Collingswood authorities.
Geda maintained the car had been stolen from his garage and the police did not produce evidence to the contrary at the hearing. Geda was also questioned in the Radio Condenser Company holdup and released.
5 Men and Woman Held in P.S. Bus Barn Holdup, Marlton Bank Robbery
Camden Courier-Post —
Named: Camden Courier-Post, June 19, 1934. Portraits (left to right): Stanley Powell, Stanley Geda, John Lenkowski, and Mitchell Sadowski. Article also mentions George Ward, Gustav Koerner, Genova Cafe, Central Airport, William T. Feitz, Joseph Schultz, Stephie Ciesla, Chase Street, Ellis Parker, Young & Metzner Co..
Four Youths Get Terms in Prison
Trenton Times —
Four Youths Get Terms in Prison
Convicts Also Wanted for Burlington County Bank Raid
CAMDEN, N. J., July 2 (P).—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 — the “John Doe” was Stanley Geda.
Old Holdup Charge Keeps Youth in Jail
Camden Courier-Post —
Old Holdup Charge Keeps Youth in Jail
OLD HOLDUP CHARGE KEEPS YOUTH IN JAIL
Krause, Involved in Marlton Bank Robbery, Must Face Offense of 3 Days Later
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.
Parolee Seized in Stolen Auto by Camden Cop
Camden Courier-Post —
PAROLEE SEIZED IN STOLEN AUTO BY CAMDEN COP
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 holdup 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
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(Continued from Page One)
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 volt 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 employe and a customer into a corner and forced the cashier, Henry Schanbacker, to hand over $3500 in cash from the cashier’s cage.
Police Photo Aids in Holdup Arrest
Camden Courier-Post —
Suspect in $2046 Robbery, Identified by Victim, Will Face Grand Jury
A man identified from a rogues gallery photograph as one of a pair who held up and robbed an East Camden man was held without bail for the grand jury yesterday when arraigned before Police Court Judge Gene R. Mariano. He is Stanley Geda, 26, of 1273 Whitman avenue. John Miller, of 2827 Clinton street, who was held up and robbed of $2046.49 at the point of revolvers by two men, picked Geda's photograph from the police gallery. Miller said that he recognized Geda despite the fact that he had a black handkerchief over the lower part of his face. Miller declared that he remembered the voice and also that the man had pimples on his forehead.
Miller told police, prior to the arrest of Geda, that he was standing in the driveway to his garage waiting for a companion to come from the house, when he was held up.
After Geda had been identified, City Detectives Gus Pfleiderer, Joseph Mardino and Frank Crawford learned that he was on parole from State's prison. When Geda appeared at the office of Albert Brager, parole officer, who summoned him, he was arrested. Miller was then called to the detective bureau and positively identified Geda, police said.
Geda pleaded not guilty. Miller charged in court that Geda was making an effort to change his voice, which Geda denied saying that he had a cold.
Pair Believed Seeking to Rob Numbers Auto
Camden Courier-Post — (I)
Named: Camden Courier-Post, October 31, 1940. Stanley Geda, Whitman Avenue, Thomas Murphy, Stanley Gasior, Mechanic Street, Mary Kobus, Raymond Smith, Monitor Road, Gene R. Mariano, Clinton Street, Federal Street, and Albert Brager.
Ex-Convict Nabbed After Gunplay
Camden Courier-Post — (II)
Ex-Convict Nabbed After Gunplay
Ex-Convict Nabbed After Gunplay
[Photo caption: Overpowered in Fairview after an 80-mile-an-hour chase along Crescent boulevard from Gloucester, one of two suspected would-be hijackers of a numbers lottery banker, Stanley Geda, 25, of 1273 Whitman avenue, is shown here being escorted out of the Detective Bureau by Detective Joseph Mardino.]
Driver Denies Knowing of Shots Despite Bullet Hole in Car
Camden Courier-Post —
Driver Denies Knowing of Shots Despite Bullet Hole in Car
Driver Denies Knowing of Shots Despite Bullet Hole in Car
Hijacking Suspects Held on Car Charge
Camden Courier-Post —
Hijacking Suspects Held on Car Charge
HIJACKING SUSPECTS HELD ON CAR CHARGE
Two holdup suspects trapped in a bog near the Camden Athletic Field on October 30 were held without bail for the grand jury yesterday when arraigned before Police Judge Gene R. Mariano on charges of possessing a stolen automobile.
The prisoners are Stanley Gassior, 24, who claims 1015 Atlantic avenue as his address, and Stanley Stevegeda, alias Geda, 25, who says he lives at 1273 Whitman street. They pleaded not guilty.
Both prisoners have long police records and were caught after a sensational chase which was led by Edward Garrity, 21, son of Police Chief James Garrity, of Bellmawr. At the time of the chase, which was participated in by officers of several communities and Camden police and firemen, it was believed Gassior and Stevegeda were trying to hi-jack an alleged numbers runner.
16 Men Are Indicted as Deserters Here
Camden Courier-Post —
16 MEN ARE INDICTED AS DESERTERS HERE
September Grand Jury in Final Presentment Cites 15 for Assault
2 Hi-Jack Suspects Admit Auto Theft
Camden Courier-Post —
2 Hi-Jack Suspects Admit Auto Theft
2 HI-JACK SUSPECTS ADMIT AUTO THEFT
Men Sentenced by Baldwin May Be Linked to Holdup Attempt
Two ex-convicts suspected of attempting to hi-jack two alleged numbers barons in October pleaded guilty yesterday to stealing an automobile and were given from one year to 18 months in State prison by Judge Clifford A. Baldwin.
They are Stanley Geda, 26, of 1273 Whitman avenue, and Stanley Gasior, 24, of 930 Mechanic street. They also pleaded guilty to the possession of a stolen automobile when they were arrested after a wild chase in a swamp near Fairview in October. The car was owned by Harvey Stevens, of Riverton.
They will be placed in the police standup today to see if employes of a Gloucester factory can recognize them as two suspects who attempted to steal a payroll last Saturday. Geda was identified as one of two suspects who held up and robbed John Miller, of 2827 Clinton street, at Ninth and Elm streets and robbed him of $2046 on October 27.
Geda
Camden Courier-Post —
Geda
GEDA
On February 16, 1984. Stanley of Camden. Beloved brother of Mrs. Mary Szramiak of Pennsauken and Mrs. Stella DeCastro of Cherry Hill. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the Mass of the Resurrection Tuesday 8:30am St. Joseph's Church, So. Camden. Interment St. Joseph's Cemetery. There will be no viewing. Contributions may be made to St. Joseph's Church, S. Camden.