Introduction
Vincent Scola
VINCENT SCOLA was born in 1911, the oldest son of Domenico and Maria C. Scola. At the time of the 1920 Census the Scolas were living at 347 Spruce Street, Domenico Scola then working as a construction laborer. By April of 1930 the Scola family lived at 839 South 4th Street, the corner of South 4th and Spruce Streets, where Domenico Scola owned and operated a candy store. Beside Vincent the family at that time included Tony, 14, Joseph, 13, Angeline, 12, and Edith, 10 years of age. Two doors down, at 835 South 4th Street lived the Tenerelli family. The Tenerelli boys, Michael and Frank, boxed professionally as Mickey Blair and Frankie Blair. Mickey Blair’s life outside the ring would follow a pattern similar to that of Vincent Scola.
Vincent Scola, also known as “Cheeno” and “China,” was first arrested in 1929.
By April of 1944 he had been arrested on nine separate occasions in Camden, on charges that included robbery, carrying concealed deadly weapons, suspicion for investigation, assault, possession of stolen goods, crap shooting, interfering with police officers, failure to carry a draft card, and possession of automobile tires, an offense during the World War II years. Apparently he evaded successful prosecutions in all of these cases.
Crime was paying off for Vincent Scola, and he had moved out of Camden, to a home at 5301 Sherwood Terrace in Pennsauken NJ with his wife Dorothy. He also owned and operated a restaurant at 1114 South 4th Street. Vincent Scola was suspected of being involved with the wartime counterfeit gasoline rationing stamp racket when he was gunned down while driving his Cadillac at 38th and Myrtle Streets in East Camden. Struck by a shotgun blast to the neck and head, his car went out of control, overturned and burst into flames.
The Scola case was front page news in Camden for two weeks. Various theories as to why he was murdered were put forth, including that he had been attempting to muscle in to gambling in Camden and Burlington counties, and he was killed in retaliation for the murder of Philadelphia gangster John P. Brennan, who had attempted a similar power grab in Camden several weeks earlier. It is worth noting that another former South Camden boxer, Rocco “Roxie Allen” Auletto, was working for Brennan as a bodyguard when he was gunned down.
Vincent Scola was buried at New Camden Cemetery on Haddon Avenue in Camden. He was survived by his wife, who joined him in 1966, his parents, and siblings.
Several suspects were questioned, and the cycle of gang-related violence did not end with Vincent Scola’s murder.
2 Held in Theft of Craps Winnings
Camden Courier-Post —
Money Won in Audubon Taken From East Camden Man, Cops Told
A second man was arrested last night and identified by David McMullen, 32, of 1015 North Thirty-fourth street, as a participant in a robbery in which winnings from an Audubon craps game were taken. Tony Scola, 45, of 347 Spruce street, was arrested at the corner of Fourth and Spruce streets, where he was selling ice cream, by Acting Captain George Clayton and Detective Clifford Del Rossi. He was taken to detective headquarters where McMullen told police he was one of three men who robbed him of $25 Wednesday night.
Joseph Proccell, 28, alias Joe Rizzo, of 22 East Atlantic avenue, Audubon, was arrested previously as the driver of the car in which the men escaped.
McMullen told police he won $10 in a craps game in the rear of a barber shop in Audubon Wednesday. He said he left the game shortly before 5 p. m. and at 10.45, two men came to his home and told his wife Margaret, they wanted “to see Dave.” When she went to the rear of the house to call her husband, the two at the door and another man forced their way into the house. One of them pointed a gun at McMullen and demanded the money he had won.
“Give us back the money you won from us,” they demanded.
McMullen was reluctant to turn over the money, and the man with the gun struck him over the bridge of the nose, inflicting a deep cut. McMullen then handed them his wallet and they took $25 from it and threw it back on a table, he said. The $15 additional was money his wife had given him to pay the building and loan, he said.
The men ran from the house and jumped into a car parked around the corner. It is alleged by police that Proccell was sitting at the driver’s wheel with the motor running. As they left the house, one of the men shouted to McMullen: “If you know what’s good for you, you better not report this to the police or they’ll find you in a lot.”
Proccell was arrested, Carpani said, from a description given by McMullen. He is being held to await possible identification.
Carpani said he notified the Audubon police of the attack and gave them the address at which McMullen said the craps game was held.
Audubon Fines Pair for Shooting Dice; 3 Held for Jury
Camden Courier-Post —
Borough Takes Winnings After Charge of Robbery Follows Game
DICE CALLED ‘FIXED’
Recorder Jay Daniels, of Audubon, last night fined David McMullen, 32, of 1015 North Thirty-fourth street, Camden, and Anthony Scola, 21, of 347 Spruce street, each $25 and costs for engaging in a craps game.
Anthony and his father, Dominick, 45, were sought by Camden detectives after McMullen told police he was the victim of a holdup. He said he won $10 in a game, played in the rear of an Audubon barber shop, and that after he returned home, three men appeared, hit him on the head with a revolver and took $25 from his wallet.
Held for Grand Jury
The two were held in $1000 bail each for the grand jury yesterday on robbery charges, while a second son, Vincent Scola, is being sought, Detective Joseph Carpani said. Audubon is concerned only with the craps game, while robbery charges will be handled by Camden officials. Sergeant Dewey Parker, of Audubon, arrested McMullen and Scola.
Tony, according to Carpani, admitted being at McMullen’s home. He said in a written statement to police that his brother accompanied him but denied his father was there.
Calls Dice Crooked
“We went there to get back some money he won from me with crooked dice,” Scola told Carpani. “During the past week I have lost $40 in the games we have had in my shop. We discovered on Wednesday that McMullen was using the phoney dice and when we accused him of it, he ran out of the store.
“We told McMullen at his house that we wanted the money back he had won from me and he handed us $10. McMullen was struck and there was no gun used.”
Joseph Proccell, 28, of 229 East Atlantic avenue, Audubon, who was arrested yesterday as the man who allegedly drove a car in which the Scolas left McMullen’s house, was released today when McMullen said he could not identify him.
Vincent Scola Killed Driving Car Near Home
Camden Courier-Post —
Police Suspect Link With Brennan; Black Market Angle Also Probed
DEATH AUTO NUMBER IS REPORTED TO COPS
The bitter gangland feud for control of South Jersey gambling and black market rackets broke out again early today with the shotgun slaying of Vincent Scola, 32, one-time petty racketeer grown big through illegal wartime operations.
Scola, known as “Cheeno” and “China,” was mowed down while driving his car at Thirty-eighth street and Myrtle avenue, only a few blocks from his home at 5301 Sherwood terrace, Pennsauken township. Seven slugs entered Scola’s body, four in the neck and three in the head. The left side of his face was almost shot away. The expensive car burst into flames after it overturned following the shooting.
Two Theories Studied
Camden detectives advanced three possible motives in the racketeer’s death: 1. That it was in retaliation for the gangland slaying several weeks ago of John P. Brennan, Philadelphia mobster who was rubbed out when he tried to muscle in on South Jersey gambling rackets. 2. That Scola was the South Jersey representative for a large North Jersey counterfeit ration stamp gang and was slain because he was infringing on the territory of local racketeers here. 3. That the killing may have been in some way connected with Scola’s declaring himself “in” on several legitimate businesses in Camden and vicinity recently.
The place where Scola was killed is in a residential section of East Camden near the Pennsauken borderline. A number of residents heard the shooting and saw the car burning.
Jersey Racketeer Slain By Gunmen
Gettysburg PA Times —
Camden, N. J., March 29 (AP)—Vincent (China) Scola, 34, who has a police record dating back to 1929, died today in a fusillade of shotgun slugs at the wheel of a car for which he paid $2,000 in cash yesterday.
Police said he was killed by gunmen who drew abreast in another car, discharged shotguns four times and drove off. Three weeks ago John P. Brennan, often a figure in Philadelphia police court, was similarly slain.
Detective Sergeant John Murphy said “Scola was a smalltime racketeer who suddenly grew bigger because of the war, and gasoline, tire and shoe rationing.”
Gas Racketeers Are Blamed In Death
New Castle PA News —
CAMDEN, N. J., March 30—(INS)—Office of Price Administration investigators today blamed gang rivalry over the spoils of the gasoline black market for the slaying of Vincent “China” Scola, 32, of Camden.
Scola, described by police as a racketeer and gambler, was killed in a hail of gunfire yesterday as he drove along a Camden street. The O.P.A. agents said they have learned that Scola reportedly bought gasoline coupons from two rival black market factions in New Jersey, and that both had warned him to quit dealing with the other.
New Jersey police have sent fliers to eight states, asking for the arrest of John Malanga, 28, and Cherry Rosanilla, alias Cherry Hart, 36, “for questioning in connection with the murder.” Both are reputedly members of a black market ring in Newark.
Police Seek Second Man In Death Car With Scola
Camden Courier-Post —
Believed Hurt; 2 Newark Killers Are Sought
CAMDEN BOXER BEING QUIZZED
Prosecutor Mariano revealed today he is searching for a second man who was in the automobile of Vincent Scola, 32, fake gasoline coupon racketeer, when he was murdered by gangland enemies at Thirty-eighth street and Myrtle avenue early yesterday.
Mariano said that while several of his detectives went to Newark on the investigation, he and other members of his staff reconstructed the killing last night. “I am convinced there was another man in the car with Scola and that he was wounded by the bullets which killed Scola,” Mariano said. “We have a good idea who that man is and we are trying to pick him up.”
Detectives were reported today to be seriously concerned in the outbreak of the gang warfare here. Authoritative sources reported the police have been informed the Scola killing is soon to be followed by another and that a man identified only as “Spike” has been marked for a “ride.”
Slot Machines Seized at Scola’s Restaurant
Camden Courier-Post —
Slot machines and pinball devices confiscated in a raid on a building at 1114 South Fourth street owned by Vincent “China” Scola, slain gasoline coupon racketeer, are shown here being examined in the basement of City Hall by Commissioner Rhone and Chief Frost. Inset is photo of Prosecutor Mariano. All three participated in the seizure.
Scola Probers Seize Big Cache of Gas Stamps
Camden Courier-Post —
Good for 500,000 Gallons; Failure to Pay Seen as Murder Motive
TRAIL TURNS TO PHILA. WITH ARRESTS LIKELY
Slaying May Lead To Smashing Black Market In Gas
Clearfield PA Progress —
CAMDEN N J, Mar 31—AP—Two “black market” gasoline gangs in Northern and Southern New Jersey will be smashed with information obtained in an investigation of the gang slaying of Vincent (China) Scola, Camden police character, Det Capt Gustave Koerner said today.
Koerner asserted the groups have “flooded” both regions with counterfeit and stolen coupons. Stamps worth half a million gallons already have been recovered, he added. He declined to say where but declared that some were stolen in Reading, Pa and some in New York state.
The Camden County detective also said he knew who shot Scola as he drove his $2,000 limousine homeward here early Wednesday morning.
2 Killers Seen Loitering Near Home of Scola
Camden Courier-Post —
Police Hope to Identify Lurkers Noted 10 Hours Before Murder
NEWARK SUSPECTS HELD IN HIGH BAIL
One of 2 Men Hunted in Scola Slaying Seized
Camden Courier-Post —
Sought in 8 States; Chemist Liberated After Quizzing
One of two men sought throughout eight states for questioning in the murder of Vincent “China” Scola, was arrested yesterday by Newark police.
Scola Buried As Police Push Killer Search
Camden Courier-Post —
Hunt on Also for Man Believed Wounded by Guns of Gang Slayers
WIDOW AND MOTHER PRESENT AT FUNERAL
With nearly 100 relatives and friends attending, Vincent “China” Scola, 32, South Jersey fake gas stamp kingpin, was buried today in New Camden cemetery as detectives continued their search for his killers.
Scola Buried As Police Push Killer Search
Camden Courier-Post —
Camden Courier-Post, April 3, 1944 — continued coverage of Scola investigation.
Woman, Ex-Convict Quizzed In Racket Murder of Scola
Camden Courier-Post —
Camden Courier-Post, April 4, 1944 — Helen Radogna and Michael Spinogatti were among those questioned in connection with the Scola murder investigation.
Mariano Seeks Police Report In Hit, Run Case
Camden Courier-Post —
Will Ask Scarduzio About Injuries; Sgt. Whittaker to Be Questioned
FORMER GIRL FRIEND OF SLAIN MAN FREED
Helen Radogna
Camden Courier-Post —
Helen Radogna
Scola Investigation
Camden Courier-Post —
Camden Courier-Post, April 5, 1944 — continued Scola murder investigation coverage.
OPA Confers with Police On Scola Murder Clues
Camden Courier-Post —
Driver Reported Hurt Fleeing Gangsters to Be Questioned
MARIANO PLEDGES NEW VIGOR IN QUIZ
Following a conference yesterday between county and city police and a representative of the OPA, Prosecutor Mariano announced investigation of the murder of Vincent “China” Scola “will proceed with much more vigor.”
One new phase of the case will be a probe of injuries received by Anthony “Swifty” Scarduzio, 26, of 419 Winslow street, four days before the murder. Mariano said Scarduzio and Police Sgt. Stiles Whitaker, who arranged hospitalization for Scarduzio, will be questioned today.
The prosecutor said he received information the accident occurred while Scarduzio was being chased by gangsters who thought he was Scola.
2 New Angles Turned Up In Scola Killing
Camden Courier-Post —
Mariano Optimistic After Conference With Police and OPA Agent
REPORTED DISCORD BELIEVED IRONED OUT
Anthony “Swifty” Scarduzio
Camden Courier-Post —
Anthony “Swifty” Scarduzio, who surrendered yesterday for questioning by police in the Scola murder case.
Police Grill New Group In Scola Killing
Camden Courier-Post —
Mariano Optimistic After Conference With Police and OPA Agent
REPORTED DISCORD BELIEVED IRONED OUT
Continuing their investigation of the murder of Vincent “China” Scola, fake gasoline stamp racketeer, with renewed vigor, police last night began questioning a number of persons in Prosecutor Mariano’s office.
Others were persons who frequented a restaurant where Scola stopped for a few minutes shortly before he met his death, and friends who seemingly knew something of his activities and associates. Scarduzio is held following his surrender for questioning.
Police Review All Stories In Scola Murder
Camden Courier-Post —
Stenographers Take Down Every Line; Sure Some Have Evaded, Lied
SCARDUZIO IS HELD WITH BAIL DENIED
Police Scour Phila for Scola Witness
Camden Courier-Post —
Called ‘Very Important’; Garages are Searched for Murder Car
The investigation of the murder of Vincent “China” Scola, fake gas stamp racketeer, shifted to Philadelphia today with detectives seeking a man they term “a very important witness.”
Associate of Scola in Business Jailed by Murder Probers
Camden Courier-Post —
Restaurant Owner Charging ‘Muscling in’ Seized; Man Sought in Phila.
A central Camden restaurant owner and former business associate of Vincent “China” Scola, slain fake gas stamp racketeer, is the latest figure arrested for questioning in the gangland murder.
Antonio Amato, 59, of 326 Spruce street, was picked up late Saturday and taken to police headquarters for questions by Detectives Louis Schmidt and Joseph Carpani. Amato remained in a city jail cell last night charged with “on suspicion of murder.”
Harry Passen
Camden Courier-Post —
Harry Passen, alias Andy Dorris, said by Philadelphia police to be a member of the “Nig” Rosen gang. Passen was murdered and his bound and blanket-wrapped body dumped in a wooded section along the Black Horse Pike near Williamstown.
Gang Guns End 3rd Life in Month
Camden Courier-Post —
Trussed Body Is Found Near Williamstown
POLICE SEE TIEUPS WITH SCOLA, BRENNAN
The third underworld victim in a little over a month to be slain by blazing bullets was found yesterday trussed up and hooded in a wooded section near the Black Pike, Williamstown, Gloucester county. He was identified as Harry Passen, or Passon, alias Andy Harris, of 2329 South Eighth street, Philadelphia, said by police of that city to be known as a member of the Harry “Nig” Rosen gang.
Philadelphia and the New Jersey state police said the case was “wide open” with the possibility it may be linked with either the slaying of John P. Brennan, Philadelphia racketeer, or of Vincent “China” Scola, fake gasoline stamp racketeer.
Police Are Baffled in Passen’s Murder
Camden Courier-Post —
Think Dope-Addict Gangster Was Slain for Attempting Shakedown
Detectives investigating the murder of Harry Passen, Philadelphia underworld character, declared today they are “against a stone wall” in the case and have only a few, meagre clues to work on.
“This murder was a typical gangland killing and you don’t solve those cases easy,” said Lieut. H. A. Carlson, in charge of state police detectives working on the case. “We’ve been running out on leads and trying to trace this man’s movements, but even his own relatives don’t talk.”
Paul Chille
Camden Courier-Post —
Paul Chille, arrested for questioning in the murder of Vincent “China” Scola. Chille, of Philadelphia, is said by police to have been “fleeced” of more than $1,000 by the slain black market gasoline operator. Chille once served a term for counterfeiting money.
Police Holding Ex-Convict In Scola Killing
Camden Courier-Post —
Hear Suspect, Ex-counterfeiter, Gave $1,000 to Gas Stamp Racketeer
THINK GANG VICTIM DIDN’T MAKE GOOD
A Philadelphia man, who served a prison sentence for counterfeiting money, is being held without bail today for questioning in the gangland murder of Vincent “China” Scola, fake gas stamp racketeer.
Paul Chille, 39, of 1318 Girard avenue, was arrested yesterday outside his home by Camden and Philadelphia detectives. He came to Camden voluntarily and was questioned several hours.
The investigators said they received information Chille gave Scola $1,800 for several thousand gas stamps but that Scola failed to produce them and kept the money. It is understood the police are attempting to learn whether Scola used Chille’s help in manufacturing bogus gas coupons.
Photos
Vincent Scola, New Camden Cemetery.