New-York tribune., 1919-09-16
Bandits Succeed i'm Dav.
light HoId-Up in Bronx,
CetS8, 400 in Currency
and Flee in Automobile
Detectives Find No
C1ew TO Work On
Thieves Work as Com
missioner Tells Aids
They Must Stop Crimes

=
Enright had on the carpet at Po-
lice Headquarters yesterday command
ing heads of the police and detective
forces and had told them they must put a
stop TO tie hold-ups that have terror
lze1 New York. Lieutenant Henry Du-
ane. in charge of the Eighth Detective
District, In the Bronx. returned to
his esk to receive a report that six
armed automobile bandits had held up
the Williamsbridgc brancn or The
bronN Borough Bank. at 37l4 White
Plains Read and escaped with about
$1,000 in cash.
Shortly before midnight detectives
from the West 135th Street station
found the seveu-p passenger motor car
used by the bandits at l37th Street
and Seventh Avenue, where it had been
aban ndoned. The mashine was identi
fed by the bank employees and other
Witnesses
Shortly after noon a large touring
car containing six men drove uD IN
front of tho bank. which is on the
sou heast corner of White Plains Az
enue and 218th Street. Five men
alighted from the -ar and walked
driver remained in his seat and kent
the motor running.
One of the five stood on guard out
side. while four entered the bank with
drawn reVolvers and pushed their way
INTO the cage. The loader thundered
an ofHer for every one in the place to
hold uD his hands. Two depositors and
bank messenger from the Washing
ton Heights Bank. at 1915 Amsterdam
Avenue, were ordered to the rear by
one Of the hod-up men AT the same
time he locked the front door and
threatened to shoot any one VINO made
an Outcry.
Bandits Work in Silence
Silence reigned while the hold up
men worked under the direction of the
leader. who evidently knew his ground
and wasted no time
Manager William Fremont Cash and
George Burkhardt, the bookkeeper,
We're the only employees i'f the bank
They had no time to reach their
weapons Of to pull the alarm cord be-
fore the intruders had them covered
with revovers aud they were ordered
TO the rear.
:,
the only one who did any talking, or
dered one of his companions to empty
the cash drawer. About ST 400 in bills
of small denomination, which had been
taken in during the morning, was
taken from the drawer at the paying
teller's desk. Another 81 900 in the
lower part Of the double drawer was
overlooked by tho bandit. when, at
the direction of the leader, he started
for the safe.
"Hurry up and get this thing over
WITH said the bandit chief as he
turned to Mr.. Cash. open that safe
and be quick about itl'
The bank official started for the safe,
and after fumbjing at the combination
moment informed the robber than
the time lock was set and he could not
open it. Not satisfied With the word
of the manager, the bandit ordered one
of his men to try the combination.
This was done, and when it became
apparent that the safe could not be
opened. the hold-up men turned their
attention TO some silver coins that
were stored outside the main safe and
took about $1,000 in silver.
Depositors Keep Their Money
In the mean time one of the bandits
had pushed two prospective deposit
ors, Anthony Germano, of 1851 White
Plains Road, and Frederick Fernando
Of 3646 White Plains Road. and Joseph
Horning, retired policeman now en-
ployed as a messenger for the Wash
ington Heights Bank. into the rear
This trio were held at bay with a re-
volver until another bandit was as
signed to aid their captor. Horning'
coat was pulled over his head and a
revolver taken from his pocket
Just as Mr.. Fernando was ordered
to hold up his hands he was making
out deposit slip for $500. This money
was on the counter and was not dis
covered by the bandits.
The bandits did not search the de-
positors or Horning, who had just
cashed check for $12o. Mr.. Germano
had $500 in his pocket, which could
have been obtained by the gang on
request.
Keeping the bank employees covered
the robbers backed out, the men who
had collected the money in a green bag
going first. AS the leader reached the
door, he turned both the pistols he
carried on the temporary prisoners and
said: Il don't want to have to shoe,
any of you, so don't try to follow 0,
take the number of the car" By this
time the others were in the automobile
The leader jumped on the running
board and it turned east on 21Stf
Street and raced in the direction of the
Continued on paye sic