Omaha daily bee., 1919-07-07
Officers Outrage
Home of Omaha Man

the arms. She struggled with the
man, thinking, she said, he intended
to do her harm. Mrs. Perruccello
asserted she did not know her assail-
ant was a policeman. Herdzina is
said to have held his blackjack in
his hands while he wrestled with the
woman. The woman's arms were
lacerated and wrenched, her body
bruised and her night dress was torn
off.
Officer Strikes Boy.
Attracted by his mothers screams,
little Sebastian Perruccello ran into
the room, and when he saw the
crouching and nude figure of his
mother, helpless and begging, his
childish strength was exerted to its
uttermost to eject the officer from
the room. Herdzina struck the lit
tie boy a terrific blow on the shout
der with his black jack.
While this was taking place in
Mrs. Perruccello's room, other po-
licemen were breaking dishes and
overturning furniture In their search
for liquor, and Thestrup was pound
ing Perruccello on his head with a
revolver.
For Gods sake don't let him kill
my sick wife," Perruccello begged,
and started to hasten to his wife's
assistance. Thestrup is said to have
closed in on the man. while another
policeman struck him several blows
on the head with a blackjack. Per-
ruccello was rendered almost uncon-
scious from the reign of blows ad-
ministered by the policemen. The
FIVE little children of the family
stood by, frantic and helpless, while
the policemen beat and outraged
their parents.
Three pints of whisky were found
in Mrs. Perruccello's room, which
she declared she obtained before
the prohibition laws became effec-
tive. She was using it, she said, for
sickness. Several gallons of home
made wine also were seized. Per-
ruccello was charged with illegal
sale and possession of Intoxicating
liquor and with resisting an officer.
He was released Sunday afternoon
on $1,000 bond.
Will Swear Out Warrant.
Perruccello has retained counsel
and declares he will swear out a
warrant today for the arrest of
Herdzina and Thestrup charging as
sault and battery.
II came TO this city nine years
ago from my native home in Italy,"
said Perruccello. Il came here be-
cause l knew it was great free
country. l knew the poor man here
was given an opportunity. l knew
his home was protected and was
his castle. | knew my children
would be safe and their possibilities
would be unbounded. The Ameri-
can home is the most sacred thing
in the world. | have always i'm
pressed on my children that the pri-
vacy of our home was their greatest
privilege and the most magnificent
blessing conferred and guaranteed
by this government. These are the
fundamental principles upon which
the greatness of America was
founded.
II know there is something wrong
about the way my home has been
outraged. My lawyer tells me there
is and | am going to the bottom of
the affair"
Perruccello conducts a cigar store
an pool room at 802 IL Pierce
street.
Il saw the sale of whisky made
to Officer Cain" said Thestrup.
When we see crime being COM
mitted we can enter the building
without warrant
Il would not allow Herdzina to
precede me into the house. because
| know Tony Perruccello to be a
desperate man. Once before he
tried to shoot me when l arrested
him. | therefore did not say l was
an officer. 1t was not necessary.
When l started to enter the
room, Perruccello grapped with me
and Mrs. Perruccello struck a chair
over my head. Then they both Crap
pied with me, Mrs. Perruccello
around my limbs and her husband
around the trunk of my body. Herd
zina came in. He had to draw his
sap. The five children had all
taken hand in ousting me. l told
Officer Cain to telephone for help,
so Herdzina and l were the only Of
ficers in the room.
Sergeant Dillon and Officer Gel
selnan arrived first. Later Detec-
tives Haze and Farrand came and
still later Officer Woods"
You want what you want when