The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-03-27
CHARGE us. AGENTS
KIDNAPPED VINCENT
Witnesses Say Officers Decoyed
Man Wanted on Charge of Dry
Law Violation From Island.

MIAMI, Fla. Marct 27.-Charles J.
Vincent, wealthy Baltimore wine
merchant, whose arrest on charge
of violating the prohibition law was
announced by United states revenue
agents here yesterday, was kidnapped
from Bimini, one of the Bahama Is
lands British territory, according
to two men and woman who say
they witnessed his capture.
They say Vincent was dubbed by
United States agents after he had
been decoyed aboard boat at Bimini.
They also tell OF a running fight dur
ing which a boatload of men fired
shots at Vincentrs kinapers.
Edward s. CHASER, a broker. OF New
York, and Samuel l.. Grossman. pa
per. box manufacturer, of Cleveland.
and Mrs. Grossman. tell the story of
Vincentis arrest. Four men called at
Vincentrs warehouse in Bimini last
Thursday they say, and induced him
to come aboard their boat. When he
did so, it is alleged, the men dubbed
him on the head and then cut the boat
lines and departed.
Kidnapers Halted.
The kidnapers were ovcrtaken by
boat in which were twenty-five armed
Thompson, about twelve miles from
shore. The boat was halted by line
thrown by Captain Thompson, which
fouled its propeller. 1t was named
Aquaria, and is said to be of Ameri-
can registry and believed to be owned
by the United States Internal Rev.
enue Department. Vincentrs captors
told Captain Thompson they were
United States agents and that Vim
cent? and their prisoner, the Witness
es say.
Vincent had been sought for FIVE
months as one of the principles in a
conspiracy, by which large quantities
of whiskey brought to Baltimore
from New York, ostensibly for ex-
portation, are alleged to have been
sold there.
Built Hotel Near Miami
Vincent went to Florida on a "busi-
ness" trip soon after the whiskey
ship, Lake Ellerslie, sailed. Vincent
and his associates, according to Fed
eral agents, built hotel near Miami,
Haloyou.
This hotel, IL is said, was the head
quarters for thirsty guests on their
way to the British island of Bilimi,
which is approximately forty-five
miles from Miami.
Whiskey valued at millions of dol
lars, IT is said, has been stored on the
| island. Four days ago, according to
Federal agents here, steamer sail
ing into a Florida port was boarded
| by Internal Revenue agents and a
cargo of whiskey valued at 100000
was found beneath her matches. The
! cargo. IL is said, was conflscated. and
a search is being con Quoted to find
| out whose whiskey 1t was.
The telegram announcing Vincent's
arrest was received by United States
Internal Revenue Deputy John Jerson
last night at Baltimore, and this was
followed by another wire stating that
Agent Johnson and his prisoner were
on their way to Baltimore. expecting
TO arrive in Baltimore today. After
confirming the arrest of Vincent, Mr..
Person said that the Triaca case is
not half way through and that "a
sensation might be sprung before the
Government completes it's investisa.
| ton.
Deputy United States District At
| torney James a. Batanc, six weeks
| ago declared that tho "Triaca case
was one OF vast proportions, and that
Uncle Sans long arm would bring
| them back"