Norwich bulletin., 1918-06-14
TOLD HOW MYSTIC
 GARAGE WAS ROBBED
Mandanio Makes Confession. in Trial
 in Superior Court at New London

Joseph Mondani0, alias Madonia, Of New London, one of the gang of Italian burglars who robbed several automo- bile supply houses in that city and Mystic last fall, and who had previ- ously pleaded guilty to the charge of burglary, was put on the stand by the state in the criminal superior court in New London Thursday morning. Ma donia told the entire story of the rob- bery of the Backus automobile supply house in Mystic and of the division of the spells.
 Madonia testified that he came to New London from Oakfeld, N. Y., last July, followed the next day by Antonio Longo. who is a member of the gang, and on trial. Prior to coming to New London, he went to Westerly, where he met Turisi aHothey member of the gang, at whose house he stayed for fvs or six days. At that time Turisi told him that he was going to open tire store and he told him the method of procuring the tires.
 Opened Store in New London.
 Madonia had some money in Detroit before coming to New London and this he secured after being here a short time and with it he opened a fruit store in Shaw street, which he con- ducted three or four months, selling it | the day before he was arrested. Turisi sent for the witness few l days before the robbing of the Backus place in Mystic. which took place after the robbery of Lathrcp's garage in 1 Montauk avenue. Antonio Longo &C., companied him to Westerly and Turisi 1 told them that there was a place in | Westerly they could rob and if Mado- mia didn't want to do that there was a 1 place in Mystic mentioning the BaekuS place.
 Went to stonineton Farm.
 Prior to committing the robbery in Mystic, the witness, accompanied by Tony Longo. Turisi, Joseph Poretti and Nino Longo, the latter two also | alleged members of the gang, went to Piseatella's farm in Stonington, where
 the stolen tires were afterward stored
 Madonia testifid that Nino Longe
 knew nothing of the plans of the rest of the men in the party, he merely acted as guide to show them the way
 to the Piscatella farm where he had previously attended christening. Ma.
 donia and his companions told Longt that they wanted to store godos there
 but Longo did not know what thu
 goods were.
 Three in Baekus Robbery.
 Madonia declared that the robbery O
 the Backus place was committed b. Joseph Peretti, Tony Longo and him
 self. They started from New London
 on the night of the robbery in Poret
 ti's machine and went to Mystic. Ther Poretti left the machine about tw' blocks away from the Backus garag and all three went to the place. Ol their arrival there Poretti and Long
 told him to break in the window, bu he declared that he could not break il so Longo smashed it with stone. Stored Tires in Cellar. Longo gave the witness his revolve and he went into the garage and hand 7 ed out the tires to Poretti and tn r witness. After the tires were all ou they carried them to the automobil;
 making seven trips Then they too
 the tires to the Piscatella farm
 Stonington in two loads, Longo nakin
 the first trip while he and Poret :. stayed behind and watched the tire 1 When Longo came back they loade 5 on the rest of the tires, which wei all stored in the cellar of the Piscatell
 house, after which they returned 1 New London by way of Norwich al
 irving in New London at 5.3O in u i, morning.
 ; Two days later the witness, Long f and Poretti went to Westerly, whel f they met Turisi. who was to buy u Q tires. They talked of the price, bl ' 1 Turisi wanted to see the tires first, '. they all went to the farm, where Turf a took the sizes of the tires, after whic v they went back to Westerly. Latt
 they came to New London. : Took Tires to Westerly. A week later they moved the tirs Il from the farm in Stonington and toe .. them to another place which the wi II ness described was about five minute U ride from the center of Westerly. bl = which he was unable to locate ar Il more definitely, the trip having bee made at night. They went to the far q in Stonington in Longos and Poretti - machines. on which they loaded tl - tires. and then went to Westerly .whel II they met Turisi, who conducted the 'l to the other farm, where the tires wei U stored in barn and covered over vii ', hay.
 T: Divided Spells on Bridge. ,e The four went back to the brids ' over the Pawcatuck river, where Turf
 paid Madonia $175 on account. aI
 then all but Turisi came back to Ne T., London. They went to Westerly aga y the following Wednesday morning
 Longo's car and there they met Turf
 in front of tailor shop. The tailc
 whose name the witness said he d F not know, gave him a check for sSe
 which was later converted into cash .e 8 bank. This was the balance on tl amount Of $500 which was the pri
 agreed upon for the tires.
 Madonna stated that Poretti receiy, r. s100. Longo s250 and he received $1; tn Longo got more for the use of his m T. chine.
 c- Madonna identified receipt which pr signed with the name of Guisep ln Cusarano. He said that was not g. name but he was told to sign the r a ceipt that way by Turisi, although t Tt tailor objected. Turisi said. howeyi " that it would only be discovered m accident
 rs Madonia, Poretti and London tn Id returned 10 New London.
 o- n- WAS AMONG OLDEST