The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1921-02-25
mail BANDITS Get
MILLION IN LOOT
Federal Agents AsCribe Series OF
Bank and Post Office TheftS
to WeII-0rganized Band.
100000 IN CASH SEIZED
Five Robbers Force Clerks to Lie Flat
While They Transfer Pouches to
Auto-Had Followed Truck
From Station.

Toledo, O.-GOvernment officials now
believe the value of the currency and
registered mail stolen here at one of
the entrances of the main post office
is between 100000 and $1,o00,000. .
Six registered pouches which post
office inspectors estimated held be-
tween 100000 and 100000 in cur
rency from the Federal Reserve Bank
at Cleveland, and three first-class mail
sacks from Cleveland, Detroit and
Northern Michigan were taken.
Automobiles containing post office
inspectors, police and deputy sheriffs
secured the city and its environs for
hours
Three suspicious persons have been
arrested so far, but all have been re-
leased. The automobile in which the
bandits made their escape was found
near Flower Hospital and identified by
w. H. MilrOy, one of the mail clerks
held up by the robbers. In the car
were found a box of shotgun shells
and a SLOUGH hat bearing the label or
a Detroit department store. The car
had been stolen, in the holdup, OF
garage by three men.
When the mail was loaded on post
office truck at the Union station car
containing several men was parked
opposite the station. When the truck
started for the post office this car
trailed it.
Five men leaped from this car and
approached the post office truck as
Joseph Hughes, Paul Weinrick and
AIilroy started to unload it and trans
fer the registered and currency pouch
es. One of the bandits pressed gun
against Hughes's side and said
"Get 'em up quick, boys"
At the same time he threatened
Weinrich, who had returned with a
hand truck. Both men complied.
"Now lie down." was the next COM
mand. Hughes reclined on the plat
form facing the truck and watched the
bandits, who had jumped from an auto
mobile, work, while Weinrich, pros
trate, faced the building with his back
to the robbers.
The bandits then threw the mail
pouches into the automobile and sped
away.
Federal officers express the belief
that master mind" is directing the
operations Of bandits in this part of
the country.
They point to the American Express
robbery here soon after Christmas, in
which five armed men held up express
guards and made off with more than
$4,000 in a small safe without leaving
a trace as to their identity.
Last week three-ton safe, contain
Ing S10.S00 in currency and Liberty
bonds, was taken from a bank at Tenn
perance. Mich On the same night
safe containing several hundred dol
lars was taken from the Sinclair Re
-fining Company Office here. In both
instances the safes were taken in auto
mobiles and not the slightest clue was
left.
Federal officers in Detroit, Cleve-
land. Toledo and other cities are
bending every effort to uncover the
'braens" of the gang. The authorities
emphasize that no shots are fired, and
that the robbers go about their work
with great confidence. Train and mail
schedules are known to the robbers,
and the location of police officers and
their hours of duty are also apparently !
known.
Whenever men have been held up, as
In the case of the post office robbery |
here. two machines have been used, |
it practically impossible for
the police to obtain any trace Of the
bandits. The gang apparently first |
steal a car which is used in the actual
holdup. This they abandon, escaping |
in another car that has not been seen.
Officers declare they believe the mas
ter mind" has may ronbbers at his |
and should members of one /
gang be caught others are used in the
next crime planned.