# Jersey Journal/1927/"Joe The Wop" Found Hiding at Carthage

Felix Szczęsny (1888-1926) in Jersey Journal on October 13, 1926.
"Joe The Wop" Found Hiding at Carthage.
Detectives Get Clue in Telegram to Wife at New York Home and Locate Wanted Man Near New York Town. Claims Self Defense. Admits Stabbing One Man, Police Say. Rafael Crimaldo, alias "Ralph Bruinaldo" known in police circles as "Joe the Wop," who stabbed Felix Suzczesny of 160 Steuben Street fatally and seriously wounded Andrew Zuilkowski, his stepbrother, in a drunken brawl in front of the dead man's home last Sunday night, was brought back to Jersey City early this morning from Carthage, New York, by Lieutenant Charles Ballerine and Detective John O'Neill of the local headquarters staff. "Joe's" arrest is considered one of the outstanding bits of police work in recent, months and Captain Charles Wilson of the Grand Street Police Station and Acting Inspector John Torpey of the Detective Bureau were loud in their praise of the efficient work of Ballerine and O'Neill. The stocky little Italian, following the commission of the crimes, immediately fled the city. For three days his whereabouts were a mystery, Captain Charles Wilson with his staff of detectives, aided by men from headquarters searched his local haunts and the homes of his friends. Lieutenant Ballerine and O'Neill had "planted" in front of Crimaldo's home at 329 East Twelfth Street, New York City, and carefully watched the movements of his wife and seven children. Early yesterday morning a telegraph messenger approached the Crimaldo home. He hardly reached the doorstep when the two detectives questioned him. The boy produced a telegram sent from Carthage, New York which read. "Uncle at Ceasar's home." Ballerine immediately informed Captain Torpey who rushed the two sleuths to Carthage. Upon arrival at the New York town the detectives found that "Caesar's place" was quite some distance from the town and in a deserted out-of-the-way section. They arrived at the place and found that "Joe" was not around. Through the conversation of "Caesar's" family. In Italian, Lieutenant Ballerine learned that "Joe" was somewhere in the vicinity, so he and O'Neill started a search of the woods near the home. A short distance from "Caesar's" home they accosted their man walking along a lonely road. Surprised at the appearance of the plainclothes men "Joe" at first denied his identity until Lieutenant Ballerina noted the scratches on his face, and accused him of receiving them in the brawl last Sunday, night. Then "Joe" broke down and confessed the police say. Claims Self Defense. Questioned by Captains Torpey and Wilson today. "Joe" admitted he had stabbed one man but denied he had stabbed two. His version of the affair to the police was that when he refused to buy his Polish friends a drink in the Steuben Street "speak-easy" they pounced no hire and he drew a knife in self-defense. He said he was not aware that Suzczesny had died from his wounds. Police believe, however, that he had been apprised of the death of his victim through some underground channel. Andrew Zuilkowski, 50, of 160 Steuben Street, the victim's step-brother, was said last night at City Hospital to be slowly recovering from a knife wound over his heart, said to have been inflicted by "Joe" when he resented the suggestion that he pay for a round of drinks for the trio. According to police, "Joe" left the city immediately after he fled from the scene of the crime, leaving home at 329 East Twelfth Street, New York City, and carefully watched the movements of his wife and seven children. Early yesterday morning a telegraph messenger approached the Crintahlo home. He hardly reached the doorstep when, the two legal detectives questioned him. The boy produced a telegram sent from Carthage, New York, which read. "Uncle at Ceasar's home." Ballerine immediately informed Captain Torpey who rushed the two sleuths to Carthage. Upon arrival at the New York town the detectives found that "Caesar's place" was quite some distance from the town and in a deserted out-of-the-way section. They arrived at the place and found that "Joe" was not around. Through the conversation of "Caesar's" family, in Italian. Lieutenant Ballerine learned that "Joe" was somewhere in the vicinity, so he and O'Neill started a search of the woods near the home. A short distance from "Caesar's" home they accosted their man walking along a lonely road. Surprised at the appearance of tire plain-clothes men "Joe" at first denied his identity until Lieutenant Ballerine noted the scratches on his face and accused of receiving them in the brawl last Sunday night. Then "Joe" broke down and confessed, the police say. Claims-Self Defense. Questioned by Captains Torpey and Wilson today, "Joe" admitted he had stabbed one man but denied he had stabbed two. His version of the affair to the police was that when he refused to buy his Polish friends a drink in the Steuben Street "speak-easy", they pounced on him and he drew a knife in self-defense. He said he was not aware that Suzezesny had died from his wounds. Police believe however that he had been apprised of the death of his victim through some underground channel. Andrew Zuilkowski, 50, of 160 Steuben Street, the dead man's step-brother, was said last night at City Hospital to be slowly recovering from the knife wound over his heart, said to have been inflicted by "Joe" when he resented the suggestion of the two Poles that he pay for a round of drinks for the trio. According to the police "Joe" left the city immediately after he fled from the scene, leaving only his hat. Many at the Steuben Street knew the Italian but were ignorant of of his correct name. A rumor soon came from one of his acquaintances that he worked as a car inspector in the yards of the Hudson and Manhattan company. Detective Captain Michael Kelly tracked down this lead and found that the man was employed by the [railroad]. Three New York and Brooklyn addresses were on the card and detectives were immediately dispatched to cover each one. The places have been watched day and night from that day till yesterday afternoon when news of his capture was received at police headquarters. Soon after the double stabbing, the fugitive was said to be seen walking on Henderson Street, which was proved false. … Acting Inspector John Torpey and Captain Charles Wilson of the Grand Street station also directed the search. Men from both headquarters and the First Precinct were used in tracking the fugitive.
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