The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1900-08-24
FORCER NADDED
Vincenzo Fiengo Wanted
Since May 23 Arrested
in Coney Island.
MILL BE TRIED IN SCRANTON
His Friend Felice. Tired Of
Shielding Him Turned
Traitor.

United States Commissioner Linsly
Rowe rubbed his hands gleefully this
morning when a marshal sent word to-
him that Vincenzo Fiengo, wanted for
forgery of a money order. was a prisoner
at last. Uncle Sans marshals have been
hunting for the wary Italian since May
% and probably would never have bagged
him had not Fiengos friend, Giuseppe
Felice assisted The arrest puts an end
to a queer case which for some time has
puzzled the United States authorities.
In Scranton, Pa. one day last January,
man named Vincenzo Fiengo was ac-
cused of forging the name of Janos
Palagye to a money order for $40. He
cashed the order at the Scranton post
office and fled from the city the next day.
Postoffice Inspector H. j. German, of
Scranton, located Fiengo at Westfield, in
this State, on May %. The inspector
lodged a complaint before U. S. Commits
sioner Rowe and warrant was issued
for his arrest Now the marshals who
were to serve the warrant didn't know
Fiengo. They therefore prepared a decoy
letter addressed to him. 1t being regis
tered letter a notice was sent to Fiengo to
come for it.. The marshals waited in the
postoffice to nab him when the clerk
should hand it out.
In the afternoon of that day two
Italians came into the office and one Of
them saying he was vincenzo FIengo
asked for the letter. 1t was given to him
and he signed the receipt for it, instantly
the marshals slipped out and arrested
him. The other Italian skipped off.
Brought to Jersey City the prisoner was
arraigned and sent to Jail by Commissioner
Rowe
A few days later Lawyer Belfatto, of
Newark, called on the Commissioner and
told him that the marshals had arrested
the wrong man.
who is the man then we have in jail?"
said the astonished Commissioner
HE is prof. Giuseppe de Felice an ex-
pert penman in Newark and well known
there replied the lawyer, exhibiting
some specimens of the professors handi-
work and demanding his clients release
1t may be as you say" said the Com
missioner, that the prisoner in jail is
Felice and not Fdengo, but why did he
falsely represent himself to Deputy Mar
shall Burns at the time of his arrest? BY
escape and I shall have to hold him for
interfering with the service of warrant
The Commissioner added that playing
Damon and Pythias with Uncle Sam $
Government was serious affair as the
Professor would find out. So Feiiee was
recommitted on this second charge and
the case to the United States authorities
stood thus: If he was Fiengo he must go
to Scranton and answer the charge of
forgery. If Felice. he was wanted for in
terfering with an officer. Only the cap
ture of the other fellow could solve the
problem, and Commissioner Rowe cut the
Gordian knot by admitting the prisoner
Felice on bail, with the understanding
that he was to go with the marshals and
locate Fiengo.
After some trouble Felice found Fiengo
in Hartford. Conn, and he at once noti-
fed the officers. Together they ap-
preached the house where Fiengo was
living That slick gentleman saw them
coming. AT once recognizing Postoffice
inspector O'Gornan, and rightly guessing
that the visit boded no good for him.
Fiengo ran through the hallway without
any coat on and disappeared. There was
nothing to be done but return to Jersey
City. Feliee faithfully went after his
quarry once more and two days later 10
Gated him at Coney Island A telegram
was sent to the anarshals. who al once
Ileft for the island. taking with them an
Italian detective They found their mar,
living with his wife In q secluded cottage.
He was arrested and subsequently locked
Up in Ludlow street 3ail