New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1923-04-11
Guns Play Important Part
in Early Morning Pur-
suit Of Truck by Police
men Lee, Malona and
Lyon
Paul Cianci of This City and
Carmelo Terlonga Of
Terryville Fined $3.50
Each in Police Court for
Transporting.

A gun fight in an early morn
ing fracas in which Policemen
Thomas Lee, Herbert Lyon and
Walter Malona played the lead
ing roles against three alleged
rum runners, resulted in the ar
rest and arraignment in court
this morning of Paul Cianci and
Carmelo Terlonga, the former Of
this city and the latter of Ter
ryville. A third man involved
made good his escape.
OFFICER Lee, who is a member OF
the supernumerary force. yesterday
received a tip to the effect that Cianci
was distributing moonshine liquor to
customers in the vicinity of his beat
on Broad, Beaver and High streets.
While on duty at $3.50 O'Clock this
morning the officer saw the automo-
bile truck at the corner of Broad and
Grove streets when it passed him with
Cianci at the wheel.
He rushed to the police box at this
corner of Broad and High streets
where he called police headquarters
and asked that some one be sent to
his aid. Policemen Malona and Lyon
were detailed to the scene in the serv-
ice car Of the department
They picked UP Officer Lee and
started down High street after the
men in the truck. Cianci had evident
ly been warned by man riding in the
back Of the truck that they were
being followed and he put on speed in
an endeavor to make a getaway.
Officer Lyon, who was driving the
police car, gave chase to the rum run
ners and succeeded In overtaking
them when they were opposite a
house at 295 High street Officer Lee
ordered the truck to stop and held
Cianci under point of gun. Ter
Tonga, who was riding in the seat with
Cianci endeavored to make his es-
cape as did the man riding in the
rear of the truck. Two shots were
fred after the third man by Officer
Malona but neither took effect and he
Terlonga, however was
taught.
s5 Gallons Of Alcohol
Upon examining the truck five, five
sallon cans of liquid were found and
when they were brought to the police
headquarters it was learned that they
contained alcohol.
Neither Cianci or Terlonga own the
ruck, it was stated in court this
morning, and when the two were ar
aligned before Judge George W. Klett
IN charge of transporting liquor for
he purpose of selling it. they were
Ined $3.50 and costs each.
Had Distributing Agency
Assistant Prosecutor William
ireenstein in presenting the states
ase, stated that the men conducted
regular distributing agency and were
making deliveries early in the morn
make good their escape when they
aw that they were being pursued by
he polict and that Terlonga was not
mere passenger but was working for
ianci.
William r. Mangan, who represent
d Cianci admitted that the accused
ras driver of the truck and owner
f the liquor but not of the truck.
Neither Cianci or Terlonga have
cen arrested in New Britain before,
acords at police station show.
Because of the work on the part OF
fficer Lee in bringing about the cap
ire of these men this morning, Chief
William c. Hart stated this afternoon
1at he will ask the board of police
commissioners to refund the fine Of
lree days pay imposed upoi the Of
GER at their meeting held last night
'r disobeying orders from his super
II officers.