Introduction
WILFRED L. DUBE was born in New York on July 17, 1906, one of at least five children born to Frank and Amanda Dube. Frank Dube was a machinist who had brought his family to New York from one of the English speaking provinces of Canada in 1892. Besides Wilfred there were four older children living at home in Schenectady NY when the census was taken in 1910, Albert, Alberta, Neal, and Alma. Sadly, Amanda Dube passed away before 1920, and in January of 1920 Wilfred Dube was in foster care, living at 612½ Smith Avenue with John and Minnie Ryan, his foster parents.
Wilfred Dube was part of Camden’s law enforcement scene for many years. Although he had left school after the eight grade, he was self-taught and quite well read. In 1926, before he was 21 years old, he graduated from the New Jersey State Police Academy at Sea Girt NJ, in that institution’s twelfth graduating class. His badge number was 288. After a short spell in North Jersey, where he worked on horseback, Trooper Dube was transferred to motorcycle duty, and by 1928 was serving in South Jersey. In that year, while stationed at the Berlin barracks, he met and married Elizabeth Pauline Von Der Tann. The April 1930 Census shows Mr. and Mrs. Dube living at 101 Chestnut Street in Audubon NJ.
Wilfred L. Dube later worked as an investigator with the Camden County prosecutors office. He was hired by Samuel P. Orlando in 1937, and served under longtime Chief of Detectives Larry Doran and his successor, James J. Mulligan. Wilfred Dube followed Mulligan as Chief of Detectives and retired as Chief. His successor, named by then-Camden County Prosecutor Norman Heine, was to be Philip J. Large, but when Large was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the post went to Russell Maurer. After leaving the Prosecutor’s Office Wilfred Dube founded a guard service, which did quite well. Mr. and Mrs. Dube traveled extensively in his later years.
Last a resident of Cherry Hill NJ, Wilfred L. Dube passed away in October of 1980, survived by his wife and daughter Yvonne, three grand-children, and by 2005 four great-grandchildren.
Bandit Suspects Arraigned Before Judge Pancoast
Camden Courier-Post —
Six prisoners arrested in East Camden this morning as bandit suspects are shown above as they pleaded not guilty to charges of carrying weapons. From left to right they are: Catherine Christman, 28; Joseph Conti, 34; Nicholas Bartluci, 23; John Fisher, 38; Mrs. Mary Reginelli, 34, and Marco Reginelli, 32. The photograph was taken in police court. The six are believed by county authorities to be members of a gang which killed a Camden man in a Bellmawr holdup and which conducted a series of daring holdups netting them about $25,000.
New Vice Squad in 3 Raids Nabs 6 as Suspects in Bandit Gang
Camden Courier-Post —
NEW VICE SQUAD IN 3 RAIDS NABS 6 AS SUSPECTS IN BANDIT GANG
Police Believe Prisoners Know Something of Wierman Murder
PROSECUTOR BALDWIN SEEKS SPEEDY TRIAL
Indications Point to Sextet Staging Recent Holdups Netting $25,000
Arrested by the new Camden police squad today in three East Camden dwellings, four men and two women are believed by county authorities to be members of a bandit gang which collected $25,000 and murdered a Camden man in a series of eight holdups during the past two months.
Prosecutor Baldwin expressed belief that the suspects were either implicated in, or know who executed the shooting of William “Bel” Wierman, alleged Camden beer runner, during a holdup April 28 at the Bellmawr County Club. He announced he would ask the grand jury this afternoon to indict them on charges made against them this morning made by the city police, and would probably place them on trial here next week.
Meanwhile, all victims and witnesses to the daring holdups in and near the city will be summoned to the courthouse to attempt to identify the prisoners.
He highly complimented the newly created vice squad on its efficient raids made after a week of painstaking investigation.
Firearms Seized
In each residence police seized a sizable arsenal of revolvers, sawed-off shotguns, repeating rifles, and hundreds of ammunition, all hidden in walls or secreted under floors. An opium “layout,” hacksaw, pairs of colored eyeglasses and tear-ware were also confiscated. The discovery of the tinted eyeglasses in the residence was of significance to Police Lieutenant Ralph Bakley, who pointed out that one of the armed bandits who held up a man at Front and Kaighn avenue two nights before the Wierman slaying wore glasses to escape identification.
Detectives aided by state troopers raided the three residences, which prevented any of the suspects from resisting or escaping. Two attempted to slip through the ring, but one surrendered after a single shot was fired at him, and one was captured while trying to scale a rear fence.
The suspects gave their names as: John Fisher, 38, of 41 South Thirty-third street, Camden; Nicholas Bartluci, 23, of 784 South Wick street, Philadelphia; Joseph Conti, 34 of 708 South Eighth st., Philadelphia; Catherine Christman, 28, of 2202 Perth street, Philadelphia; Mary Reginelli, 32, of Apartment 2, at 143 North Thirty-fourth street, Camden; Marco Reginelli, 24, his wife’s address.
Committed Without Bail
Six were arraigned before Judge in the city police court this morning. As they were arraigned in a joint session, a blanket charge with carrying concealed deadly weapons was lodged against them by Detective Leonard Pancoast of the vice squad. An additional complaint charging possession of narcotics placed against Conti and Catherine Christman.
All of the suspects pleaded not guilty. They were immediately committed to the county jail without bail. Prosecutor Baldwin stated he would hold them for further investigation. They will be finger-printed and “mugged” so that county authorities can obtain their police records.
Vice Squad and ‘Arsenal’ Seized in Raids — The arsenal collected by Camden’s special vice squad in raids on three East Camden houses today is shown above. Members of the squad are shown with various exhibits, including repeating rifles, shotguns and revolvers. From left to right they are Detectives Walter Smith, Vernon Jones, Lieutenant Walter Welch, Joseph Mardini, Theodore Guthrie, James Paradise and Howard Smith. Four men and two women were arrested in the raids, and are being held on suspicion of being members of the bandit “mob” which conducted eight large holdups, netting them $25,000, and murdered an alleged Camden beer runner.
Seized in Raid — The following is a list of what was seized in each place:
At 3719 Highland avenue: One automatic 12-gauge shotgun, serial numbers filed off to prevent tracing to the buyer; one bolt action high-powered .38-calibre rifle; one .38-calibre short-barrelled revolver, loaded; one .38-calibre long-barrelled revolver, loaded; one hacksaw and blade; one box of 50 12-gauge buckshot cartridges, one pair of green glasses, three dozen silver spoons, 10 rifle bullets, 33 .38-calibre bullets, two bunches of keys, one handbag and a complete opium layout, including an extra pipe and a quantity of opium.
At 41 South Thirty-third street: One .45-calibre Colt automatic, loaded; one .45-calibre side-break revolver, loaded; one extra clip of 20 bullets, one 12-gauge sawed-off shotgun, two barrels; four dozen 12-gauge shells, four dozen rifle bullets, 32 .38-calibre bullets and three .45-calibre long rifle bullets.
At 143 North Thirty-fourth street: One automatic .12-gauge shotgun, Remington, Model 11, serial number 324870; one sawed-off shotgun, serial number filed off; one .32-calibre Savage automatic, six dozen 12-gauge shells, 13 .38-calibre bullets for a Luger revolver, eight dozen .32-calibre bullets, one dozen .25-calibre bullets and a pair of amber-colored glasses.
Vice Squad Nabs 6 Bandit Suspects (Continued from Page One)
suspicion of hold-up and robbery in 1927, 1928 and 1929.
Conti is a familiar figure in the Philadelphia underworld, according to police, and it is believed that he may be the same Joseph Conti who was arrested as a witness in a recent gang murder in that city.
All of the prisoners treated their arrest with levity. Conti, while being led from the courtroom after his hearing jocularly remarked to Patrolman Everett Joslin:
“Wait, and I’ll get a machine gun out of my shoe for you.”
All the men were handcuffed when arrested in police court.
Conti and the Christman woman were arrested when police broke down the door of a house at 3719 Highland avenue, Camden. Fisher and Bartluci were seized at the South Thirty-third street address, while the Reginellis were captured in their apartment.
Conti made a desperate bid for freedom when he saw the detectives, armed with shotguns, repeating rifles, revolvers and tear bombs. The suspect dashed through the rear door, but came to an abrupt standstill when a member of the vice squad, Detective James Paradise, fired one shot at him.
Bartluci also attempted to escape and was clambering over a rear fence when he fell into the arms of Detectives Walter Smith and Vernon Jones.
All were arrested “on information received,” the only explanation the police would give. It was revealed that the special vice squad, organized by police heads a few days after a Camden bank messenger was robbed of $6700 in broad daylight May 23, has had the three dwellings under surveillance for the past week.
The raiders first visited the Highland avenue place at 5:15 a. m. An automobile was in front of the house, and Conti and the Christman woman were in it, according to detectives. When the suspects saw the police, they leaped from the car and ran into the house, locking the door after them.
Batter Down Door
Under the leadership of Detective Theodore Guthrie, the vice squad members quickly surrounded the place, and Detectives Smith and Jones knocked at the front door. There was no response, and the detectives then battered the door down, rushing into the dark interior with drawn revolvers.
They found Catherine Christman, but Conti had fled out the rear. Detective Paradise’s shot changed his mind about escaping.
Then a thorough search was made of the premises for weapons or possible loot. In closets, under beds, the detectives found weapons of all description. Baseboards and the floors were hammered, and several traps were found to contain weapons when floor boards were ripped up.
The raiders took their prisoners to City Hall, and then descended upon the South Thirty-third street house, at 6:30 a. m. There they had to force open the front door when their demands for entrance met no response. They arrested Fisher, who made no attempt to resist when he saw it was futile. Bartluci, however, dashed into the rear yard, but was captured.
Here, another thorough search uncovered weapons, and when the prisoners and confiscated material had been disposed of, the raiders sped to the North Thirty-fourth street apartment, forcing the front door open at 7:30 a. m. after surrounding the place.
Those who participated in the raids were the following members of the vice squad, headed by Detective Guthrie: Paradise, Jones, Walter Smith, Clarence Bunker, Louis Schlam, Clarence Arthur, Howard Smith and Joseph Mardini. With them were Sergeant Wilfred L. Dube and Detective Andrew Zopesky, of the state police.
Roxie Allen Held As One of Gang in Dice Game Holdup
Camden Morning Post —
Roxie Allen Held As One of Gang in Dice Game Holdup
Pugilist and Pal Identified As 2 of 4 Bandits in Landisville Robbery
PLAYERS LINED UP, RELIEVED OF $200
Robbers Flee in Stolen Car With Crippled Man at Wheel
Roxie Allen, Camden’s famed welterweight boxer, and one of his pals were arrested last night and identified, according to police, as two of four men who held up a craps game early yesterday at Landisville. Loot is said to have totaled between $150 and $200.
Allen, whose real name is Auletto, and Carmen Passarella, 26, of 1227 Broadway, were arrested by City Detective Theodore Guthrie and Wilfred Dube and George Probert, state police investigators.
Nicholas Dandrea and Nicholas Yennitti, both of Landisville, identified Allen and Passarella at police headquarters. Police said Yennitti is the proprietor of the pool room in which the holdup was staged. It is known as “Poppy’s Place.”
A dozen men were backed to the wall when the four bandits entered.
ROXIE ALLEN — Camden welterweight contender who is accused of being one of four “hoodlums” who staged a holdup early yesterday on a craps game in a Landisville pool room. Allen, according to police, was identified last night by the proprietor of the place and one of the players as the “cripple” who drove the bandit car.
One carried a sawed-off shotgun while the other three brandished revolvers.
One of the bandits was crippled in both legs, according to the victims. They picked up the money laying on the table and then rifled the pockets of the players.
As they fled the license number of their automobile was taken and turned over to Malaga state police. A check-up revealed the car had been stolen from the garage of Harry Whaland, real estate dealer, 1424 Mt. Ephraim avenue. The license tags had been stolen from a disabled automobile of A. Baer, 611 Kaighn avenue. The state police declare the crippled man was driving the car.
Allen was recognized in the poolroom as the Camden boxer by the sportsmen gathered for the game, according to state police. Allen walks with a limp as a result of being shot August 2 at Third and Pine streets by Charles Areni, 699 Central avenue. Areni was found guilty in Criminal Court October 15.
Allen and Passarella were taken to state police headquarters at Hammonton for further questioning. They will be turned over eventually to Cumberland county authorities.
Dube said charges of robbery and carrying deadly weapons will be lodged against the accused.
Allen gave his age as 21 and his address as 318 Spruce street. At one time he was rated as one of the best welterweights in the country. He and Passarella have been close friends for years.
Two additional suspects were arrested by Camden police on information received from Hammonton state police. Louis Bottina, 20, of 1440 South Fourth street, was arrested by Patrolman Joseph Lack at Broadway and Kaighn avenue.
Salvatore Passalacqua, 20, of 339 Clinton street, was arrested at his home by Detective Sergeant Rox Saponare.
Both men were arrested on suspicion and are being detained until today when an attempt will be made to identify them as the second pair of the four bandits.
When Newspapermen asked Guthrie what Allen said when he was arrested, Guthrie declared Allen had made no statement. A similar question at Hammonton state police headquarters brought forth a reply from Trooper Dube that “I am not making any statements right now, I am still working on the investigation. Don’t bother me for a couple of hours.”
Bail Is Denied Roxie Allen in Robbery of 15 in Craps Game
Camden Evening Courier —
BAIL IS DENIED ROXIE ALLEN IN ROBBERY OF 15 IN CRAPS GAME
Three Pals of Camden Boxer Also Jailed at Shore for Grand Jury
QUARTET IDENTIFIED BY POOLROOM OWNER
Limp Betrays Fighter at Landisville—Says He Did Not Aid Holdup
Identified as four of the five bandits who held up and robbed 15 men at a craps game in a Landisville poolroom yesterday, Roxie Allen, well-known South Jersey boxer, and three other South Camden youths are under arrest today.
The suspects, charged with obtaining money and watches worth $175, are Rocco Auletto, Allen’s real name, 21, of 318 Spruce street; Carmen Passarella, 26, of 1227 Broadway; Salvatore Passalacqua, 20, of 339 Clinton street, and Rocco De Corda, 23, of 221 Spruce street.
Two of the suspects, Passarella and Passalacqua, have made a full confession, according to Captain William J. Carter, Troop “A” commander, of the Hammonton State Police barracks.
Allen and De Corda have denied implication in the holdup. The welterweight pugilist admitted that he drove the holdup car but remained behind the wheel during the robbing, unaware of the intentions of his companions.
A fifth man, said to be colored, is being sought in Camden by the State Police and Camden detectives.
All four captives, arrested in this city and positively identified by the proprietor of the robbed place as well as by some of the victims, were held without bail pending action by the Atlantic county grand jury on charges of weapons. They were arraigned before Justice of the Peace Peter Capizola, of Luena. Prior to that, they were “booked” at the Atlantic county jail in Mays Landing, and then photographed and fingerprinted at the Malaga state police barracks. They are now in the jail at Mays Landing.
Allen’s Limp Seen, Claim
All four were recognized by the proprietor, Nicholas Yennitti, owner of “Poppy’s Place,” it is alleged. Yennitti said he knew the three white men who entered unmasked, and recognized Allen in the automobile after seeing him limp when he got out. Allen did not enter the place, nor could Yennitti see whether Allen had a gun.
It was at 2:10 p. m. yesterday that four men, three carrying revolvers and the other a sawed-off shotgun, ran into the poolroom and commanded the patrons to put up their hands. The 15 men inside were lined against a wall and their pockets were looted. The money on the table was picked up by one of the bandits. The total cash stolen amounted to only $75, while the watches and rings taken from the victims were worth about $100.
Captain Carter and other investigators heard reports that if the holdup had been staged 10 minutes later, a richer reward would have fallen into the hands of the bandits. The rumors were to the effect that the “banker” for the place arrived there from Atlantic City 10 minutes after the holdup, with two or three thousand dollars.
Nicholas Dandrea and Yennitti recognized the three white men, and then saw Allen, they said, in the car outside. Allen and Passarella had been in the place Saturday afternoon, the former losing about $15 at pool, according to Yennitti.
The license numbers of the car were observed by several of the victims, and the affair was reported to the state police. Troopers George Probert and Howard Maliff of the Malaga barracks, and Wilfred Dube, state police plainclothesman, were assigned to the investigation. They immediately sped to Camden, where they obtained the aid of Detective Theodore Guthrie.
Allen and Passarella were arrested last evening by the troopers and Guthrie. Passalacqua was arrested at his home last night by Sergeant Rox Saponare, of the Camden detective bureau. De Corda was arrested 4 a. m. today on suspicion and was later identified.
Holdup Car Found
The holdup car was found at Third and Pine streets today and was impounded by the Camden police for Atlantic county authorities. It bore the license plates C25899, but this license was issued, according to the state motor vehicle bureau at Trenton, to Harry Whaland, 1424 Mt. Ephraim avenue, Camden. An investigation proved that the tags had been stolen from Whaland’s car yesterday. Moreover, Whaland had a car different in make than the one impounded.
In his confession, Passarella declared that the seized car was his and that it was used in the holdup. The plates, he is said to have confessed, were stolen from Whaland.
However, a checkup at the Trenton bureau revealed that the license number C22859, issued for the car claimed by Passarella, had been issued to a Frank Passarella, of 327 Washington street, Camden.
Passarella, the man under arrest, is a nephew of Frank Passarella, also known as Passeralli, 31, of 212 Catherine street, Philadelphia, one of the two Atco National Bank bandits who were convicted here last month and received heavy jail sentences.
Louis Bottina, 20, of 1440 South Fourth street, was also arrested last night on suspicion, but was released when he proved an alibi and when the victims could not identify him.
The limp which betrayed Allen was the result of a bullet wound inflicted on him August 2 by Charles Areni, 699 Central avenue, who later was convicted and sent to state’s prison.
Mobster Slain by Enemies of Phila. Gang on Camden ‘Ride’
Camden Courier-Post —
MOBSTER SLAIN BY ENEMIES OF PHILA. GANG ON CAMDEN ‘RIDE’
Joseph Hillop Is Beaten, Strangled and Shot Near Ancora
QUARREL ON ROBBERY BELIEVED TO BE CAUSE
Is Second Victim of Vengeance Police Think; Widow Gives Clue
Joseph Hillop, cheap Philadelphia crook, was taken on a “one-way ride” early yesterday and his body dumped in a sparsely settled section of Camden county.
He had been beaten, strangled and shot four times. Identification was made through fingerprints and later verified by the dead gangster’s widow and mother, both of whom were prostrated with grief.
The body of the red-headed blue-eyed mobster—who once was accused of ratting on his companions in a Camden jewelry robbery—was found beside the old White Horse pike, about a half mile from where it joins the new pike at Ancora. Three youths, starting a fishing trip, made the discovery at 5 a.m. yesterday. Police said the man had been dead for several hours.
Strangled and Shot
Hillop had been strangled, slugged and shot, much in the same manner as his former “buddy in crime,” Joe Bielec, whose mutilated body was found on the shore of Peter’s creek, Oaklyn Manor, March 7, 1931.
A “clue” to the latest police theory of the crime was furnished, unwittingly, late yesterday by Hillop’s widow, Mrs. Anna Hillop, with whom he lived on Wallace street, near Eleventh, in Philadelphia. Although denying any knowledge of the reason behind the killing of her husband, or who committed the crime, Mrs. Hillop suddenly shouted at Prosecutor Clifford A. Baldwin and County Detective Chief Lawrence T. Doran:
“If I knew anything about a robbery, don’t you think I would cut myself in? Do you think I’d let ‘em get away with it without giving me a piece?”
Then, suddenly, as though she remembered she was telling something the police wanted to know, she began to talk on a new line of conversation.
Her remarks, police believe, were made because her husband had been engaged recently in forcing other crooks to divide loot with him on robberies he knew they had committed, with which he had no connection.
Prosecutor Baldwin first believed Hillop’s death had been the result of a mob war following a jewelry store robbery more than two years ago.
At that time three bandits held up and robbed the jewelry store of Abe Fuhrman & Son, 444 Broadway, escaping with $3000 in jewelry.
A short time later Hillop, Bielec, Frank Rock, Tommy Riely, Alfred Ripka, John Reilly were arrested in connection with the holdup. Rock, Bielec and Rielly each were sentenced to serve 10 to 30 years in the Eastern Penitentiary, following a conviction for the Camden job, while Hillop got 18 months for their part in the crime. Ripka and Frank “beat the rap” and were freed.
Because of the light sentences dealt Hillop and Bielec, their friends in the underworld seemed to bear an underworld grudge, and Bielec was double-crossed by Rock and Reilly.
Then a short time after Bielec had been given his sentence he was put on the spot and his body found at Oaklyn.
Hillop has recently been out of jail for about four months, and during that time he married Mrs. Hillop, widow of a former motorcycle patrolman, John Kelly.
Although police refused to admit it, they were on the lookout for Ripka, brother of the notorious Frankie and Howard Ripka, and Louie Frank regarding their whereabouts on Tuesday night and early yesterday morning.
“This murder of a brother of Ripka might be connected with the Fuhrman robbery,” Prosecutor Baldwin said, “but at this time I don’t think that is the right track.”
Three county detectives looked for a day or more following the discovery of the body a few feet off the road. They notified state police at Hammonton and the body was removed to the Winslow Township Homeopathic Hospital morgue after being examined by Coroner Arthur H. Holl.
Fingerprints were taken by state police and copies taken to Philadelphia by State Trooper Osborne. Detective Chief Doran began his investigation as soon as the body was identified.
Detectives Jules Derowski and Harry Ireton were sent to Philadelphia to bring Hillop’s mother, Mrs. Lena Hillop, 716 Oriana street, Philadelphia, to the prosecutor’s office for questioning.
Mrs. Hillop showed no knowledge of her son’s recent habits or friends. He left her home more than three months ago, telling her at the time he was going to New York to find work.
Wants to See Body
While Mrs. Hillop was being questioned, police received a call from the hospital, being informed that a woman was there who identified herself as his wife. Derowski and State Trooper Osborne were sent to Philadelphia to question the woman who proved to be Hillop’s widow, although at first telling the police her name was Anna Kelly.
She was accompanied by Norman Hillop, 716 Race street, a drug store clerk. Police released the woman, saying there was nothing to hold her. When Hillop’s body was found it was nattily dressed in a brown pin stripe suit, wearing a brown hat, black silk socks and tan leather shoes.
His cream-colored fedora was found 200 feet from the body, some half a mile from where the old pike rejoins the new pike at Ancora. It later developed from the label he had bought it around the corner from his home.
Joe’s nose was broken, his ear bashed in, head cut and swollen from blows of a blunt instrument. His pockets had been stripped except for a 5-cent piece, half a pack of cigarettes and two handkerchiefs, whose initials, “L” and “C,” proved as useless a clue to his identity as the monogram “P” on the pearl-studded buckle of his tan leather belt.
But the fingerprints can’t be counterfeited, so it was only eight hours or so after the police were called in that the body was identified by means of them.
Camden Pair Admit 4 Shore Robberies
Camden Courier-Post —
Dandrea Gets 5 to 7 Years in Prison; Pal is Put on Probation
Mays Landing, Feb. 6.—One Camden man was sentenced to State’s Prison for five to seven years and another was placed on probation for three years when they pleaded guilty on four indictments charging holdup and robbery. Sentence was imposed by Judge William H. Smathers in criminal court here today.
The prison term was meted out to Nicholas Dandrea, 24, who gave his address as 334 Clinton street, Camden. He was arrested November 17 by State Troopers Martin Hurden and Wilfred L. Dube. The man placed on probation is Morris Feller, 26, of 1254 Haddon avenue. Both men had originally pleaded not guilty, but changed their pleas today.
They were charged with holding up and robbing Frank Romeo, 40, and Emilio Cichetto, 51, of Minotolo, on October 9; Daniel Pentaleo, of Franklin street, Landisville, on October 16, and also on November 6, and Adam Procaccino, of Landisville, on November 8.
Romeo and Chichetto reported to state troopers when they were held up that they were tied to trees by Feller and Dandrea, who escaped in Chichetto’s car. Ninety-six dollars, taken from the two men, was lost by the bandits in a crap game in Landisville, according to the troopers. Pantaleo was held up, robbed of $112, tied with rope, kidnapped in his own car and thrown out in a woods on October 16, He was putting his car in his garage when the two men placed guns at his side, he told the police. On November 6 they returned and again went through the same procedure, but this time did not obtain money. Pantaleo identified both men.
Procaccino, a waiter in a Landisville lunch wagon, was robbed of $11 at 2.30 a. m. as he was walking to his home.
Judge Smathers, in placing Feller on probation, said he was taking into consideration the fact that it was his first offense.
Four Charged With Numbers Using ‘Bingo’
Camden Courier-Post —
Marino, Girard Held At Merchantville In New Racket
A new numbers racket based on “Bingo” was disclosed yesterday when county detectives and Merchantville police arrested four men, two of them police characters.
The suspects were seized in an automobile parked within sight of the Merchantville police station.
The two with police records are Joseph Marino and Harry Girard. The others are Irving Chapman, 23, of 43 South Merchant street, and John Holmes, 23, of 227 Main street, both of Merchantville. All were arraigned on a charge of violating the state lottery law, before Justice of the Peace Samuel Rudolph, who complied with a request from Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando and held them without bail for the grand jury.
Marino’s police record dates to 1914. He received three suspended sentences, three other cases were nolle pressed by the court and on one occasion he served a jail sentence.
His last time in custody was as a suspect in the slaying of Abe Goodman, former numbers baron. He was released after questioning.
Girard’s criminal record dates back to 1924. He has been arrested five times, serving two reformatory sentences and one term in the state prison.
Details of the new racket were not immediately divulged by the prosecutor’s office. It was learned, however, that hundreds of “bing slips’” were seized by the police when the men were arrested.
The new game is operated by means of a printed slip which contains the word “Bingo” in large type at the top. There is a set of instructions for the player, part of which reads:
More action for your money than any other game on the market, plays six days for 30 cents. Beginning Monday, write the daily policy number for that day in the three squares on the same line with the word Monday, continue in this manner for each day of the week from Monday until Saturday, making sure that you write that number issued for that particular day during the week. Your ticket is dated and write only on the line reserved for that day of the week. Whenever your ticket number appears in a straight line (in any direction) from using the daily numbers in this way you receive the amount printed beside arrow which points in the direction your ticket runs.
Space for Writing
Then follows a space for the writing of the daily number, with the amount of payoff, from $2 to $10, according to which manner your number reads if you “hit.”
Police Chief William Linderman, County Detective Chief Lawrence T. Doran and County Detectives Wilfred Dube, James J. Mulligan, Joseph Bennie and Casmir Wojtkowiak arrested the four men, all of whom were taken at once to the office of Prosecutor Orlando for questioning.
It was revealed at the prosecutor’s office that an attempt to flood Camden city and county with the new numbers game has been made during the last two weeks.
Detectives have been trailing an automobile during this time, believed to have been the car in which the men were seized yesterday.
11 Nabbed By Police in Gambling Raids
Camden Courier-Post —
7 Arrested in Bingo Numbers Racket; 4 Seized in Betting Place
Ten men and a woman were arrested in gambling raids over the weekend by Camden city and county authorities.
Seven were arrested for operating a “bingo numbers” racket. A warrant also was issued for Frank Palese, 400 Spruce street, a member of a widely known South Camden family, as the “big shot” of the racket, according to Chief Lawrence T. Doran, of county detectives. Doran said last night Palese is still a fugitive.
In another raid by Camden police, three men and a woman were arrested in an alleged horse racing betting establishment at 1149 Lansdowne avenue. The place was on the second floor over a grocery store, according to Sergeant Gus Koerner, City Detective Thomas Murphy, Jr., and Patrolman James McLaughlin, who made the raid. Koerner and Murphy also figured in the second raid.
Several racing forms and four telephones with two direct wires to tracks now in operation were seized, according to Koerner and Murphy. The police first arrested Roland Flynn, 36, of 589 Carman street; Neil Zeldman, 43, of 1064 Langham avenue, and James O’Donal, 27, of 1119 Empire avenue, and held them in $1000 bail for violating the State crimes act.
Woman Arrested
Later Mrs. Rose Koplin, 37, who lives in an apartment over the store, was taken into custody on the same charge and held in $500 bail. Mrs. Koplin’s brother, Milton Katz, posted cash bail for her release.
Katarina Pologruto, 420 West street, posted bail for O’Donal, who also is known as O’Donnell, and Flynn. Frank Davalos, saloonkeeper, of 441 Benson street, furnished bail for Zeldman.
Murphy reported that $700 had been bet on race horses at the establishment up until 3.30 p. m., Saturday, the time of the raid.
Among those arrested in the “bingo numbers” racket was Fred Rossi, who fought in the prize ring under the name of “pee wee” Ross. He was arrested Saturday afternoon at his home at 438 Mickle street by Koerner and Murphy.
O’Donal, Flynn, Zeidman and Mrs. Koplin will be given hearings today in police court. Others under arrest in the lottery game gave their names and addresses as Joseph Marino, 288 Chestnut street; Harry Girard, 446 Pine street; Peter Branco, 1109 South Third street; Donald Goodman, of Woodlynne; Irving Chapman, 43 South Merchant street, Merchantville, and John Holmes, 227 Main street, Merchantville. An eighth man, James Lodge, Brooklawn, was questioned and released as a material witness.
Rossi, Branco, Goodman and Holmes were released in $500 bail each for the Grand Jury by Justice of the Peace Samuel Rudolph. Prosecutor Orlando said he would demand bail of $1000 each for release of Girard and Marino.
Refused to Sell
Lodge told the detectives he was approached to sell the slips but that he refused to take them.
Doran stated that Marino insists he is the operator of the lottery, but the county detective chief declared that Marino was merely trying to “take the rap” for Palese.
City and county authorities have been aware of the existence of the new racket for about 10 days. Murphy and Koerner had been detailed specifically by Commissioner Mary W. Kobus to investigate and break up the ring. The two sleuths followed numerous suspects, watching where they went, and getting a list of stops and suspects.
The trap was sprung when Marino, Girard, Chapman and Holmes were arrested on South Centre street in Merchantville as they sat in a parked car. The car, according to Doran, bore license plates issued to Palese.
Merchantville police and Doran arrested the four and seized bingo numbers slips. Murphy and Koerner also arrested Branco, while County Detectives James Mulligan, Elmer Mathis, Wilfred Dube and Casmir Wojtkowiak arrested Goodman.
Doran admitted that the automobile in which the four men were found was the property of Palese. A search was made at the home of Palese, on Fourth street, near Spruce, but nothing indicating he was connected with the racket was found, Doran said. But Doran added he has information which leads him to believe Palese was the head of the new racket.
Frank Palese Surrenders In Racket Quiz
Camden Courier-Post —
Lent Car to Others He Says; Denies Charges
FRANK PALESE — Bingo Big-Shot?
Frank Palese, 26, of 900 South Fourth street, wanted as one of the alleged operators of the new “bingo” lottery racket, surrendered yesterday to County Detective Wilfred Dube.
Palese had been sought during the weekend as the “big shot” of the racket after Joseph Marino, Harry Girard and five others were seized in the case.
All but Marino and Girard were released in $500 bail before the surrender of Palese.
Prosecutor Orlando fixed bail at $1000 each for Palese, Marino and Girard. Carl Kisselman, retained as counsel for the defendants, said he would provide the amount for them.
According to Palese he simply lent his automobile to Marino and Girard, who were in Palese’s car when arrested, and he knows nothing whatever about the lottery charge.
Among those out on bail is Fred Rossi, former boxer, who used the ring name of Pee-Wee Ross.
3 Men and Woman Nabbed
Police Judge Mariano overruled police objections and postponed until Wednesday morning the hearing of three men and a woman arrested as the result of a gambling raid at 1149 Lansdowne avenue Saturday.
The request for a delay was made by Benjamin Asbell, defense lawyer, who said he had been retained only late Saturday and had lacked an opportunity to prepare his case.
Sergeant Gus Koerner and Detective Thomas Murphy, Jr., asked that the case go on at once, saying they had enough evidence to hold the suspects for the grand jury. Murphy said Safety Director Kobus had asked that the hearing be held yesterday.
Judge Mariano, however, said that Asbell’s request was not unusual and that attorneys should be allowed time to obtain their evidence or witnesses. He continued the same bail which police set when the four were arrested.
Lines to Tracks Seized
Koerner, Murphy and Patrolman James McLaughlin said that horse race betting was conducted on the second floor of the Lansdowne avenue building, the ground floor of which is occupied by a grocery.
Several racing forms and four telephones with two direct wires to tracks now in operation were seized, according to Koerner and Murphy. The police first arrested Roland Flynn, 36, of 589 Carman street; Neil Zeidman, 43, of 1064 Langham avenue, and James O’Donal, 27, of 1119 Empire avenue, and held them in $1000 bail for violating the State crimes act.
Later Mrs. Rose Koplin, 37, who lives in an apartment over the store, was taken into custody on the same charge and held in $500 bail. Mrs. Koplin’s brother, Milton Katz, posted cash bail for her release.
Katarina Pologruto, 420 West street, posted bail for O’Donal, who also is known as O’Donnell, and Flynn. Frank Davalos, saloonkeeper, of 441 Benson street, furnished bail for Zeidman.
Murphy reported that $700 had been bet on race horses at the establishment up until 3.30 p. m., Saturday, the time of the raid.
2 Bingo Suspects Gain Freedom Under Bail
Camden Courier-Post —
Bail was posted yesterday for the release of Frank Palese, 26, and Harry Girard, 28, “bingo” lottery racket suspects.
Palese, who surrendered yesterday to County Detective Wilfred Dube, was freed in bonds of $1000 and Girard in bonds of $2000.
Girard, Joseph Marino and five others were arrested Friday in Merchantville. Palese claims he merely lent an automobile in which Girard and Marino were arrested to Marino.
Scarduzio Jailed by Orlando After Gun Play in Restaurant
Camden Courier-Post —
Scarduzio Jailed by Orlando After Gun Play in Restaurant
Action Follows Police Failure to Report On Shooting
PROBE ORDERED BY MRS. KOBUS
Nick Scarduzio, 39, former Summer policeman, was held last night without bail for grand jury action on a charge of atrocious assault and battery and intent to kill as a sequel to a gun-play row at 3 a. m. Saturday in a South Camden restaurant.
Scarduzio was taken into custody by County Detective Wilfred Dube on orders of Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando.
Investigation of police failure to report immediately the shooting affray was promised by Commissioner Mary W. Kobus, director of public safety.
“I wasn’t apprised of this case until 4.30 o’clock yesterday,” Mrs. Kobus said. “Ordinarily our policemen aren’t required to report little barroom brawls. This is different. I intend to investigate thoroughly. I shall interview these policemen this afternoon and until I have talked with them, I will await developments.”
Brother Slain December 24th
Scarduzio was a brother of Andrew Scarduzio, Eighth ward political worker, who was fatally shot in a Bellmawr taproom on December 24 during a brawl in which the brothers sought to eject three men who demanded entry to the place at 5.30 a. m. after the cafe had been closed for the night. Andrew was employed as the cafe handyman.
Arrested by Dube on “information received,” Nick Scarduzio, who lives at 419 Webster street, and who has had numerous encounters with police, allegedly went berserk when requested by a patron of Mike Patsourakas’ restaurant at 1806 Broadway to refrain from profanity in the presence of several women diners.
Lawrence T. Doran, chief of county detectives, said he obtained statements of several witnesses.
Doran said he learned Scarduzio entered the restaurant after visiting a nearby taproom and was in a “disagreeable mood.”
Taking a place at the counter, Scarduzio became loud, Doran said he learned, and was accosted by Robert Wolfe, 32, of 1128 Langham avenue, another diner.
Wolfe requested Scarduzio to calm down, witnesses told Doran, whereupon Scarduzio reached across the counter and seized a knife with which he threatened Wolfe and later picked up a heavy sugar bowl and hurled it, striking Wolfe on the head.
Wolfe raised his hands in defense, Doran quoted the witnesses, and Scarduzio whipped out a gun and fired two shots. His aim was diverted when Patsourakas grabbed his arm and Wolfe dashed toward the rest of the place as the other diners scattered.
More Shots Fired
Scarduzio attempted to follow Wolfe, according to Doran, and the fleeing man hid behind a box in a rear room. Scarduzio raced past him into an alleyway where, the detective chief said, he saw another figure and fired two more shots. Wolfe later was taken to Cooper Hospital where three stitches were used to close the wound caused by the sugar bowl.
Doran said three city policemen arrived later at the scene, but that subsequent investigation revealed no account of the incident was on city police records. No report was made to the city detective bureau.
Orlando ordered the county detective bureau to investigate the case and Scarduzio’s arrest followed. Doran also related that the weapon which was taken from Scarduzio by Patsourakas and “broken” was later taken over by city police.
Chief of Police Ralph Bakley, who was taking reports from the three city officers, said there was nothing said by them about taking the gun from the restaurant owner. He will question them on that phase of the case later today, he said.
Was Special Officer
Scarduzio was employed last month by Commissioner Kobus as a special officer making a check on all-day parkers in the city business section. Doran said he learned the man is no longer employed by the city.
The city police report, made yesterday afternoon, according to Mrs. Kobus, follows: “I have to report that about [time] a. m. Saturday, Jan. 20, we were cruising in scout car south on Broadway. We were stopped by a young man at Broadway and Ferry avenue. He told us there had been a fight in a restaurant located two doors south of Ferry avenue on the east side of Broadway. Officer (Oliver) Morgan and I entered the restaurant and we saw all the patrons sitting down. We asked if there had been any trouble and they said there had been a fight but that it was all over. So we left the place after we searched all persons in the place for a gun, not finding any. ‘One man had been hit on the head with a sugar bowl.’ He refused to make any charge and also refused to go to a hospital.”
De Sanctis Dies in Parked Car, Pal Wounded
Camden Evening Courier —
Police Study Bullet Holes in Death Car — THE PATTERN OF BULLETS which killed one man and critically wounded another at Mt. Ephraim avenue near Kaighn last night is shown on the left side of the death car, being examined by Patrolman Andruzza. Romeo (Rocco) DeSanctis, left, was slain shortly after appearing before the grand jury in connection with the Casablanca Roadhouse holdup. Leon Grenkwicz, also shown, was wounded critically as they sat in Grenkwicz’ car. The even row of bullet holes directly under the window indicates a machinegun was used in the murder. The shots through the upper part of the car were made by shotgun blasts, detectives said.
Named: Romeo DeSanctis, Leon Grenkwicz, and Leonard Andruzza.
DE SANCTIS DIES IN PARKED CAR, PAL WOUNDED
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 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.
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.
The Wilkie Case
A difficult case that Wilfred Dube investigated in 1953 was that of the tragic suicide of James S. Wilkie, son of a veteran Camden police officer, John V. Wilkie. For several days after the shooting, Sgt. Wilkie claimed that he had shot his son, in order that he receive a Catholic funeral. He retracted his confession after it became apparent that he could not deceive the city and county investigators, and was released after the grand jury refused to return an indictment.
This tragic case saw the involvement of many of Camden’s law enforcement and legal community, including Benjamin Asbell, Mitchell H. Cohen, Thomas Murphy, James J. Mulligan, J. James Hainsworth, Samuel P. Orlando, John Healey, and Joseph Bennie, among others.
Wilkie Son Dies From Gun Shot
Camden Courier-Post —
WILKIE SON DIES FROM GUN SHOT
Youth, 17, Found Suicide in Home By Officer
The 17-year-old son of Camden Police Sgt. John V. Wilkie was found shot to death in his home early Sunday, with his father’s service revolver lying on the living room floor beneath his body.
James S. Wilkie, of 1144 Princess ave., was found by his father shortly after 2 a.m.
Coroner John A. Healey, after an autopsy Sunday afternoon, also said he was “satisfied the death was suicide.” He issued a death certificate with that finding.
Younger Children Questioned
Benjamin Asbell, first assistant prosecutor, with County Detective Chief James J. Mulligan, City Detective Capt. Thomas P. Murphy and Detective George Ellis, questioned Wilkie, two other Wilkie children, their friends and neighbors for more than three hours in detective headquarters Sunday night.
Capt. Murphy reconstructed the death as follows: W. Richard Wilkie, 16, and his sister Teresa, 14, with Paul Ragone, 15, of Bridgeboro rd., Moorestown, a friend of Richard, were decorating the living room of the Wilkie home for Christmas when James came home about 1:30 a.m. and evidently had been drinking.
Detective Is Held For Shooting Son
Gettysburg PA Times —
Camden NJ (AP)— A Camden city detective, Sgt. John V. Wilkie, is being held on a manslaughter charge in the shooting of his 17 year-old son.
Police said last night Wilkie told them his son was killed accidentally as he and the youth struggled for his service revolver Sunday morning.
The boy’s death had been called a suicide by Camden County Coroner John A. Healy. A pathology report indicated that the head wound sustained by the younger Wilkie was self-inflicted.
Camden County Prosecutor Mitchell H. Cohen said the detective told him he tried to take his own life after his son was shot but the pistol misfired.
Wilkie was charged with manslaughter and held in custody pending a hearing to set bail.
Wilkie Fails To Post Bail Of $50,000
Camden Courier-Post —
WILKIE FAILS TO POST BAIL OF $50,000
Probe Still Open; Will Confer On Funeral
Sgt. John V. Wilkie, Camden’s “notebook cop,” was transferred from the city jail to the county jail late Wednesday when he failed to raise $50,000 bail under which he is being held during the investigation of the fatal shooting Sunday of his son, James, 17.
The $50,000 bail was ordered by Prosecutor Cohen after Wilkie confessed shooting his son in the head accidentally during a struggle for the policeman’s service revolver in their Princess ave. home.
Coroner John A. Healey, however, has listed the death of the youth as a suicide.
Will Confer on Funeral
“There are many discrepancies in the various versions Wilkie has told me and there have been changes in the story itself,” Cohen said in commenting on the suicide report.
Robert J. Blake, funeral director, said he planned to confer with the elder Wilkie today in the county jail on funeral arrangements for the youth. Blake said there had been no change in the position of Catholic officials, who have refused to permit burial of the youth in consecrated ground, in accordance with canonical law prohibiting such burial to suicides, except in cases of insanity.
Prosecutor Cohen said he would permit the release of Wilkie, under guard, to attend his son’s funeral.
The prosecutor today said the investigation is still “open.” Cohen questioned two surviving Wilkie children Wednesday on the events of last Sunday when James is said to have come home under the influence of liquor and got into a quarrel. The other children are Richard, 16, and Teresa, 14, both of whom seemed numbed by shock when they appeared in the prosecutor’s office on the sixth floor of City Hall.
According to the story told by the children and Paul Ragone, 15, of Moorestown, a friend, James came home at 1:30 a.m. Sunday and after words with Richard went upstairs and then reappeared with his father’s service revolver. The others fled from the house and quoted James as saying: “If you don’t come in, I’ll shoot myself.”
Will Go Over House
A minute later, they said, they heard a shot.
Cohen said he had ordered an inspection of the entire house, as well as ballistics and chemical tests on the Wilkie revolver and the bullet which pierced the young man’s head.
The prosecutor said he had nothing to say on a psychiatric report by Dr. H. E. Yaskin, county consulting psychiatrist, who examined the policeman.
“That is a confidential report and certainly nothing is going to be made public about the doctor’s findings of the man’s personality,” the prosecutor said.
Wilkie walked into the prosecutor’s office shortly after 1 p.m. Tuesday and “confessed” he killed his son accidentally during the struggle for the gun.
There is a belief among some of the investigators that the policeman, who has been on sick leave, concocted his story in the hope Catholic Church officials could be prevailed upon to allow a Catholic burial for the son.
Sgt. Wilkie Is Still Held in Jail, His Bail of $50,000 Unchanged
Camden Courier-Post —
SGT. WILKIE IS STILL HELD IN JAIL, HIS BAIL OF $50,000 UNCHANGED
Cut Considered After Retraction Of ‘Confession’
Police Sgt. John V. Wilkie, Camden’s notebook cop, remained in jail today in default of $50,000 bail despite his admission Thursday he “confessed” accidentally killing his son in an effort to have full burial rites of the Roman Catholic Church accorded the youth.
Wilkie’s admission of the fabrication as a desperate self-sacrificing attempt for his son came Thursday afternoon after he learned the church had reiterated that his son, James, 17, could not be given requiem rites and be buried in consecrated ground.
Wilkie admitted that when he returned to his home, at 1144 Princess ave., at 2:18 a.m. Sunday, he found his son dead of a revolver shot instead of having been shot in a struggle with Wilkie for the latter’s service revolver.
Services for Wilkie’s son will be held Monday at 11 a.m. in the Robert J. Blake Funeral Home, 851 Haddon ave. Burial will be in New Camden Cemetery, Mt. Ephraim and Ferry aves., a nondenominational cemetery. There will be a public viewing at the funeral home Sunday night.
Wilkie, a member of Sacred Heart R.C. Church, Broadway and Ferry ave., will be permitted to attend the services under guard.
Asked about the continuing high bail, Prosecutor Mitchell Cohen said there has been “no request from Wilkie nor his attorney, Elmer Bertman, for reduction of bail.”
Favorable to Lower Bail
Cohen, however, continued, “In light of the new circumstances, I certainly would entertain such a request.” He continued:
“In view of the holiday weekend, I probably won’t be in my office until Monday. Nor is the sheriff’s office open during the weekend to receive the bail.
“It would be necessary to contact me with a request for bail reduction and also to make special arrangements with Sheriff Hainsworth to post the bail.”
Late Thursday, Cohen told reporters he had no alternative but to present all of the facts in the case to the grand jury and “let them decide.”
Tells of Repudiation
“In the presence of Chief Mulligan and Capt. Dube of the county detectives staff; Capt. Murphy of the Camden City detective bureau; Samuel P. Orlando as a friend of Wilkie’s, and Fred Albert, court stenographer, Wilkie has made a statement which repudiates a ‘confession’ he made to me earlier this week.
“He states that he found his son, James, dead of a gunshot wound when he returned to his home early on the morning of Dec. 20.
“Wilkie states that he concocted his story that he and his son wrestled over possession of the gun, which was Wilkie’s service revolver, and that the gun was discharged accidentally.
Father Denied Suicide
“Wilkie told us he had determined to do everything within his power, say anything and be willing to take any kind of punishment, in order to obtain a Catholic funeral for his son.
“He still insists that his son did not commit suicide, that he had just bought some new clothes and had said or done nothing to indicate he might take his life.
“I must say here that the facts available to us do not coincide with a theory of accidental death.
“After Wilkie had made his ‘confession’ to us, we had him illustrate several times with county detectives how he said he tussled with his son. We knew then the son could not have been accidentally shot in such a struggle.
State Police Tests
“All tests by state police laboratories and our medical reports clearly evidenced Wilkie was not telling the truth.
“The bullet entered one temple and emerged from the other on a straight line instead of at an angle. The course the bullet took made it clear the shot was fired with deliberation by a gun held in the decedent’s hands or in some other hands.
“Since a complaint has been made and a court has instructed me to present this matter to the grand jury, I must do so. Therefore the charge of manslaughter will remain pending the grand jury’s deliberation.”
Wilkie, according to Sheriff Hainsworth, spent a “restful day” Christmas in a cell in E block on the sixth floor of City Hall. The sheriff said Wilkie was in “good spirits and talked frequently with other prisoners.”
Sgt. Wilkie Remains in County Jail As Son Is Buried Without Ritual
Camden Courier-Post —
SGT. WILKIE REMAINS IN COUNTY JAIL AS SON IS BURIED WITHOUT RITUAL
Funeral Director Recites Prayer
Police Sgt. John V. Wilkie, whose “confession” that he accidentally killed his son proved to be a hoax, remained in the county jail today during the funeral of his 17-year-old son, James.
Wilkie, Camden’s “notebook cop,” is being held in county jail in default of $50,000 bail pending submission of his case to the grand jury, although authorities accepted his admission that the story of accidental death was concocted in an effort to obtain the full burial rites of the Roman Catholic Church for his son.
James, whose death on Dec. 20 was officially declared a suicide, was buried from the Robert J. Blake Funeral Home, 851 Haddon ave.
Only about 20 persons were present, and there was no formal service of any kind. Among those at the funeral home were James’ mother, Mrs. Tessie Bogacki, of Woodlynne; his brother, Richard, 16, and sister, Teresa, 14, and two aunts, Mrs. Elizabeth Meredith and Mrs. Jane Salus.
James was buried in the rain in New Camden Cemetery, Mt. Ephraim and Ferry aves., a nondenominational cemetery, also without any formal service. Blake recited the Lord’s Prayer as the casket was lowered.
Members of the immediate family and a few friends attended.
Attends Viewing
Wilkie attended the public viewing at the funeral home Sunday night in the company of County Detectives James McLaughlin and Joseph Bennie and a guard from the sheriff’s office, Walter Wilkie, no relation.
He was promised release from jail so he could attend today’s burial, but James J. Mulligan, chief of county detectives, said Wilkie sent word to the prosecutor’s office this morning that he had no desire to be present at the rites.
“He was present at the viewing,” Mulligan said, “but he said he just didn’t want to go to the funeral. So we made no arrangements for him to go.”
Approximately 100 persons attended the viewing, and Wilkie was present the entire time.
Fabricated Confession
Wilkie’s admission he fabricated the “confession” that he accidentally killed his son came Thursday after he learned that church authorities had declined to alter their original ruling that the youth could not be given solemn requiem rites and be buried in consecrated ground. Canons of the Church forbid religious services and burial in suicide cases.
The veteran police sergeant had claimed that he accidentally shot the boy in a struggle for possession of Wilkie’s service revolver at the Wilkie residence, 1144 Princess ave. But, in his admission that this version of the death was untrue, he said he found his son dead of a revolver shot when he returned home at 2:18 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 20.
Cohen said no request for reduction of Wilkie’s $50,000 bail had been made, but that he would consider such a request if it is received. He said he had no alternative but to present all the facts in the Wilkie case to the grand jury.
Wilkie Freed By Vote of Grand Jury
Camden Courier-Post —
‘GOING HOME AND TAKE CARE OF MY CHILDREN’
Police Sgt. John V. Wilkie was released from the Camden County jail late Wednesday afternoon shortly after the grand jury returned a no bill on a manslaughter charge against the veteran policeman in the death of his son James Wilkie, 17.
Wilkie, as he was released from the county jail, told Undersheriff Charles O’Keefe he was “going home and take care of my children, they are my only concern now.”
Young Wilkie was found shot to death Dec. 20 at his father’s home, 1144 Princess ave. A certificate of suicide was issued by Coroner John A. Healey.
Admits Hoax
Later, Sgt. Wilkie surrendered at police headquarters and said he had accidentally shot his son in a struggle for possession of his service revolver. Wilkie was confined to the county jail in default of $50,000 bail on a manslaughter charge.
Last Thursday, Wilkie admitted to Prosecutor Cohen he had concocted the story of shooting his son in an attempt to obtain the full burial rites of the Roman Catholic Church for his son.
Cohen accepted the withdrawal of Wilkie’s “confession” but said he would have to submit the case to the grand jury. Cohen summoned Wilkie’s two other children, Richard, 16, and Theresa, 14, and City Detective Capt. Thomas Murphy before the jury Wednesday.
Murphy was questioned by the jurors 25 minutes and Richard was in the jury room for 15 minutes. Theresa was not called before the jury and at 3:30 p.m. was dismissed, less than a half hour before the jurors returned a no bill on the charge against the father.
Police Raids Net Pair on Gaming Count
Camden Courier-Post —
Police Raids Net Pair on Gaming Count
A Pennsauken husband and wife were arrested Monday afternoon by county detectives for allegedly taking horse bets and numbers plays in a South Camden cigar store which they operated.
The couple was identified as Theresa Tiole, 49, and her husband, Frank J., of 47th st., near River rd.
Large said the woman admitted…
1841 Broadway — Emerald Street — Wilfred Dube — Philip Large — William Large — James McLaughlin — Walter Zimolong — Norris Fisher — James Schaub — Harry DeVore — Anthony Marino — Frank J. Tiole — Theresa Tiole
Woman Held In S. Camden Fatal Knifing
Camden Courier-Post —
Row at Party:
WOMAN HELD IN S. CAMDEN FATAL KNIFING
Municipal Judge Marino today held a 36-year-old woman without bail for a further hearing Friday in the fatal stabbing of a South Camden man early today.
Miss Evalena Watkins, of the 1200 block S. 3rd st., was charged with the death of James W. Atkins, 27, of 1225 S. 3rd st. He was pronounced dead at West Jersey Hospital.
Det. Lt. William D. Neale said Atkins was stabbed in the heart while at a party in a first-floor apartment of his house. He lived on the second floor.
Marino also set $25,000 bail for Willie Simmons, 31, also of the 3rd st. address, as a material witness.
Two Report Emergency
Police received a call at 4 a.m. from off-duty Ptl. James Johnson, who said he had been requested by Miss Watkins and Simmons to call an emergency patrol.
Ptl. Edward Fulton and Leo Tompkins answered the call and found Atkins sitting on the first-floor hall steps in a crouched position. They took Atkins to the West Jersey Hospital but he was dead on arrival.
Dets. Russell Young and John Huston were called. They notified Dube, Neale, the city homicide squad of Acting Lt. Vincent Conley, Nathan Jones, William O’Brien and County Det. James P. McLaughlin.
Guests are Questioned
Several guests at the party, including Miss Watkins, Simmons, Mrs. Atkins, the victim’s wife, and Mr. and Mrs. Carl H. Perry, were taken to detective headquarters for questioning.
Dube and Neale said they learned Atkins had been stabbed following an argument in the stairway of the first floor. He and his wife had been guests at a party in the apartment of Mr. and Mrs. Perry, Neale said.
Neale said Mrs. Atkins was just returning from her apartment when the stabbing occurred. Neale said Mrs. Atkins told him she witnessed the assault.
Neale said witnesses told him the group had been at a party in the Perry apartment and they had been drinking.
Scrapbooks, Family Stories Recall Lives Lived With Passion
Camden Courier-Post —
Ties That Bind by Christina Mitchell
“You must meet the most interesting people,” Lisa Sollenberger said to me recently about this column.
She had just lost one of the treasures in her life, her 96-year-old grandmother, Elizabeth Dubé’.
The truth is, I often meet interesting people like Elizabeth after they’ve died, when families gladly open their scrapbooks and loved ones jump off the pages.
This was one of those times.
Lisa has two scrapbooks that belonged to her grandmother, known to her three grandchildren as “Granel.” Her husband, Wilfred L., was known as “Pa-pa.”
There’s Granel and Pa-pa on their trip to Bermuda. Granel when she graduated from Glassboro Teacher’s College in the late ’20s. Pa-pa in the staunch uniform of a New Jersey state trooper.
And there’s Granel’s lady-like handwriting describing and dating every major event.
“I really thought she would live to be well over 100,” said Lisa, as she flipped through one scrapbook’s stiff pages.
Elizabeth, who died March 21, was a woman who always looked “89 going on 60,” according to Lisa, because she kept her figure and wore tailored clothes she sewed herself.
When her only child, Yvonne Wolf, first entered her mother’s apartment at a Moorestown independent living facility days after her death, “I found two outfits, all pinned and patterned and ready to go.”
“When you walked into her house, it always felt like she was waiting for you,” recalled Lisa, mother to two of Elizabeth’s four great-grandchildren.
Pa-pa was a broad man who could work any room he walked into. He enjoyed a good meal and a cigar and had the audacity to make a move on his future wife right in her parents’ kitchen. In the late ’20s, no less.
“Did my mother tell you that story?” Lisa giggled. “The first time he met her, her back was to him at the sink. And he walked up and put his arms around her. And then his friend introduced him!”
“He knew the minute he laid eyes on her he was going to marry her,” said Yvonne of her father, then a confident young state trooper.
It was 1928, Elizabeth was fresh out of college and Pa-pa—or Doobie, as his wife called him—was billetted at the Berlin barracks of the state police, then the private home of Elizabeth’s parents on the White Horse Pike. It was a routine living arrangement for troopers in those days and Yvonne remembers her mother’s parents serving the police butter, “and we had to eat margarine.”
“It was the best eatin’ station in New Jersey,” the Marlton resident added.
Doobie and his “honey” secretly eloped to Elkton, Md., spent a night in Camden at the Walt Whitman Hotel, then sprang the news on her parents. But if marriage began surreptitiously, it was hardly quiet thereafter.
“When they got together, the party began,” Yvonne recalled of her parents, who lived with gusto. “Even if it was just the two of them.”
Wilfred Dubé’ became chief of the Camden County detectives, then founded a guard service business, a venture that bought the couple a nice life: travel, summers in Florida, nights out at Lucien’s or to watch the floor show at the Silver Lake Inn.
For a while, they lived just blocks from Yvonne and her three children in Cherry Hill.
“Whenever the kids got mad at me they would take their tricycles and ride to Granel’s and Pa-pa’s,” said Yvonne, for treats of vanilla milk shakes made with Breyer’s ice cream, Thin Mints and pound cake.
When Pa-pa died in 1980, Elizabeth forged a life of her own, in part in a white Lincoln Town Car powered by a heavy foot. That foot wore 3-inch heels until she was about 92.
She played bridge until she died and thanked her lucky stars she could remain independent.
“She had all her faculties, didn’t she, Rog?” Yvonne asked of her husband, Roger.
Can’t ask for more than that. Ninety-six years. All your faculties. A lifetime of memories.
Still, said Yvonne, it won’t be easy to say goodbye.
“She led a happy life. That helps to deal with this,” she mused, tilting back in a recliner. “But she’s been so much a part of us for so long, it’s gonna leave a hole.”
Wide as a canyon, in fact.
And, yes, I do meet the most interesting people.
Golfers Contribute Money to Participate in United Fund Tournament
Philadelphia Bulletin —
“Camden County’s United Fund drive became $400 richer as each of four golfers contributed $100 to play in tomorrow’s tournament for the benefit of the campaign. Miss United Fund of 1965, Amelia Romano, of Collingswood, accepts $100 bills offered by (from left) Joseph Forte, Berlin, head of the Lower Camden County towns phase of the drive; Chief Wilfred Dube, former Camden County detective; Joseph Stagliano, of the Formigli Corp., and horse trainer Ray Metcalf.”