Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1921-05-16
DENIES He MAS
PARTY To THEFT
Teschke Continues Testimony
at Trial of Robert Stega-
way for Big Cigar Robbery
tBy Evening News stan Correspondent. }

tBy Evening News stan Correspoudent.D
NEW BRUNSWICK, May 16:-
Ernest Teschke, who lives in the
Fords section of Woodbridge town
ship, this morning took the stand in
the continuation of the trial of
Robert Stegaway and himself for
the robbery of $4,000 cigars from a
railroad car at Metuchen some time
ago. Russell Epstein. Perth AM
boy wholesaler, also is a defendant
in this action. being charged with
receiving stolen goods. 1t is possi-
BILE testimony will be received all
day.
Teschke admitted accompanying
Louis Oricz of l<easbey, star witness
for the state, to Perth Amboy to
complete the sale, but denied par
ticipation in the theft or receiving.
He stated that four. hundred boxes
OF cigars were counted out by Ep-
stein in Oricz's place, and loaded in
Epstein's car and taken to Perth
Amboy. The witness denied having
any agreement with Oricz, but told
the court he tried to boost the SELL
ing price for Oricz. in an effort to
have a grocery bill he owes Oricz
wiped out and also to receive some
thing on the side. He told the court
of going with Oricz to Perth Amboy
to collect the money, and in regard
to picking up Stegaway at. Rogan's S
corner. The latter, the witness said,
was going to Perth Amboy to do
some shopping for his wife.
The witness stated that he and
Oricz went into Epstein's store and
Stegaway followed them in. He told
the court that Epstein paid $500 to
him and he turned the entire
amount over to Oricz. receiving no
share. Teschke denied knowing
where the cigars came from.
The witness told the court that he
first learned that the cigars sold to
Epstein wer stolen goods when the
on a charge of receiving stolen
goods.
Teschke endeavored to prove by
alibis that he was not implicated
in the robbery Is charged. He said
he remembered well what occurred
on April 6, as he had gone to New
ark to secure a permit from the
Ironworkers' Union to do some
work. He said he returned to his
home about l o'clock in the morn
ing. John Frencik. friend of
Teschke, also an ironworker, living
in Perth Amboy, testified that he
had accompanied Teschke to New
ark, where application was made
for the permit. The two then re-
turned to Perth Amboy when F'ren-
elk saw Teschke take bus for Fords.
Frencik. however. said it was on
Saturday night. April g. that they
had gone to Newark. April 6 was
on a Wednesday this year. Mrs.
Teschke. the accused mans wife.
said her husband had left the house
Wednesday, April 6, and gone to a
meeting with a friend, returning at
about 1 o'clock. She said she knew
nothing about the robbery until two
weeks later when county detectives
and Louis Orisz visited the house.
John Anderson, of out Main street,
who lives near Teschke, testified to
seeing a man whom he thought was
Teschke coming home between 1890
and l O'Clock on The morning of the
robbery.
Sophie and Agmar Dixon. sisters.
testified to seeing Stegaway and his
wife at a dance in Fords between 10
and 1915 o'clock on the night in
question. Andrew Olsen. of Wood
bridge. the floor manager. also tes-
tined that SteGaway was present
during the early part of the night.