The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1922-06-15
Herman and Jim Cicchini, Mat LEM and Walter
Knoblauch, All of KenosEa, Found
in Illicit Traffic Here.
hot" CARS UNLOADED AT THIS POINT
Police After Weeks of Treess Effort Succeed in Iden
tifying Nine Stolen Cars Here - Men
Taken to Milwaukee.

what is believed to have been
Wholesale traffic in stolen automobiles
on the part of four Kenosha men and
three of their associates, was snapped
off abruptly at the neck on Monday
afternoon, when the police department
after weeks of indefatigable effort,
turned over the Kenosha quartet to
officials from Milwaukee for prosecu-
lion there. The men are Herman
Cicchini, GIG Pearl street, Jim Cic-
chini, 100 Brockett street; Walter
Knoblauch, 907h Strong street; and
Matt LEM, proprietor of the Rambler
lotel, and the police were certain that
PARTICULARLY in the capture of the
Jicchini men and in uncovering their
operations here, they have broken up
}ad nest. So far the Kenosha police
lave succeeded in identifying eight
ord sedans and one Chandler car
7hich they are certain were stolen at
4ilwaukee through the underground
perations of the brothers Cicchini
nd subsequently sold here to unwit-
ing customers.
The Whole Nefarious System.
How deeply Knoblauch and Lenz are
involved in the alleged conspiracy and
commerce, the officials were unwilling
o state, but It is known that these
TWO acted as sales agents for the stol-
en- cars. Both admitted to the police
that they had been offered fifty dol
lars commission by Herman Cicchini
for every car of his which they sue
ceeded in passing on to customer,
but declared that they had no idea
that the cars were stolen ones.
Bogus bills Of sale, cleverly execut-
ed to deceive the purchasers, and in
vestigating officers, changed license
plates and altered cars, all played their
part in the bold game precipitated
By the Cicchinis in their pursuit of
the gain that comes with little effort
and brazen front.
It was while searching the house of
Herman Cicchini on Monday for equip
ment that it was thought was being
used by him in altering stolen cars,
shas Sergeant of Detectives Rock and
his aides stumbled on mocnshine
outfit of two stills, 100 gallons of
mash and fifty gallons of moonshine,
howiug that the man, who was then
already in custody, had not relied on
only one way of making money rapidly
but was leaving no stone unturned in
his greed for illicit gain.
Police Work Quietly for Weeks.
The police have had their eyes, on
the Cicchini brothers for some time,
believing that they bore watching. 1t
was not until six weeks ago, however,
that they received their first inkling
That the Cicchini's We're MIXED up in
the traffic of stolen cars, A number
Of automobiles were being stolen in
towns along the lake shore, particu-
larly in Milwaukee, and the police e.
ceived tip that they were being IN
loaded on Kenosha. The police detec-
t'ves who keep close tab of the cars
that come in and out and are sold
about town, increased their vjgilant
appraisal of Herman Cicchini and
his brother and took an active and
curious interest in the different cars
30 toted around.
The aid of the motorcycle squad was
enlisted also, and one day about three
weeks ago, motorcycle officer, Leo
71chmann, in fit of pure curiosity,
lighly obnoxious to the people it af-
F,o4aJ v,oIa CO hold &C IN ovapoipa
the motor number of Chandler car
Ferman Cicchini was understood to
ave sold a baker on the north side,
The car was standing along the road,
md Buchanan just naturally picked
ip the motor number. Back at the
police department, the group working
N the case checked up the motor num-
ser. 1t was learned that the same
lumber is at present on another car
1t Trenton, N. j., proving to the police
hat the number was a bogus one, and
lad been fastened to the car for some
Irtful purpose. They were then con-
'inced beyond doubt that Cicchini
vas the man they were most inter
.sted in for the time being,
Decided to Lay Low and Wait.
When they found that the Chandler
vas, in police parlance, a shot" car, it
vas difficult for the staff at headquart-
lrs to restrain themselves. But after
lue elaboration and discussion, they
determined to lay low, and watch for
ripper moment to make the arrest of
he two Cicchini brothers and the
ounger men grouped with them, if
OF in the actual theft, at least in the
ispossl Of the cars. Besides there
ere three other men, one in Racine,
nc in Chicago and one in Milwaukee,
hich were as yet INDICATED, and the
dice wished to have the lines closed
about them also, believing them
be the missing links" in their
lain OF evidence.
Good work on the part Of patrol
an, Charles Amberlang, however,
.ocipitated tho matter, and brought
ings to a head quicker than the staff