Palisadian., 1924-08-15
UNBELIEVABLE CRIME BY YOUTHS
IN HASBROUCk HEIGHTS ROADWAY
SUNDAY NIGHT--CIRL Assault TED
Lodi Boys 19 to 20 Years Old, Idlers and Pool Room
Habitues, Attack Boy in Auto With Young Lady Then
Commit Foul Outrage-Seven of the Rascals Caught
and Confession Obtained by Prosecutor Harris De-
tectives-A Good Job Done.

One of the most atrocious crimes
in the annals of Bergen County was
committed ON last Sunday night in,
Hasbrouck Heights when Miss Made
line Russell, 10, and her escort, Hugh
Aitken, 10, both of Hasbrouck Heights.
were held up beaten, robbed and mall
treated by a band of ten armed
youths. Seven suspects were arrested
on Tuesday morning and two con-
fessed the crime, duplicating the other
five.
Mr. Aitken and Miss Russell were
driving along Central avenue, be-
nues, close to the Lodi borough line
about 1920 o'clock on Sunday eve
ming. The road is not in the best of
condition and the car was going slow
ly. They were asked by one of two
young men for a match.
Aitken slowed down and was about
to accommodate them when the men
sprang ON the running board of the
car.
At the same time others appeared
from behind the car out of the dark
ness. When Miss Russell saw them
she screamed and Aitken at the same
moment sought to start the car.
The girl was struck by one of the
men and two Of the others thrust
guns at Aitken and one of them grab
bed him and pulled him away from
the wheel.
He was dragged from the car and
while being pulled across the road
and out into an open field was beaten
and struck again and again.
Getting him into the lot the men
who had him, four in all, went through
his pockets.
They stole about four dollars and
some other valuables he had. He was
warned that if he fought he would be
further misused. He kept as quiet as
he could but when he heard Miss Rus
sell cry out he made an effort to get
away from his captors and then was
laid low with the blow which cut open
his scalp for three inches.
He was apparently stunned for a
time.
Meanwhile Miss Russell had been
dragged by six of the gang into the
woods. At point about thirty-five
feet from the roadway she was thrown
to the ground and despite her
struggles was partly disrobed. Her
garments were torn to shreds by her
captors. AS she cried out when it be-
came apparent what the purpose of
the men was, she was struck across
the mouth and sand thrown in her
eyes.
Other parts of her body show where
she was struck by the members of
the gang.
The girls ordeal is thought to have
lasted the best part of an hour. When
Aitken revived he found himself
alone and managed to crawl to the
car. He gathered strength fast and
searched about for his companion.
Her groans guided him into the
woods and he found her trying to
rise.
Aitken assisted the girl to the car
and drove at once to the residence of
DR.. Walsh, who, on learning their
story promptly telephoned Chief Fitz-
gerald.
AS soon as the local authorities
learned the news a posse was formed
and together with police dogs they
went to the scene of the crime. The
dogs failed to pick up the scent and
it is believed the thugs made their
getaway in an automobile. An all
night search was made. Detective
Dawson and the police of Hasbrouck
Heights and Lodi did excellent work
and kept up forty-eight hour search.
On Tuesday morning seven resi-
dents of Lodi, Dominick Sara, An
thony Tore, Frank Romano, Pasquale
Romano, Anthony Checala, Tony Di-
chera and Emilio Valardi, were arrest
ed.
Sara and Tore are held under
$4,000 bail each and the others
at $4,000 each.
Miss Russell and Mr.. Aitken have
identified several of those in custody
and the confessions involve all seven
held.
Two of the gang have confessed,
one fully and one only partially, yet
their, confession duplicates the other
five, it is said.
At noon on Tuesday, following his
examination of the seven men, Prose-
cutor A. c. Hart issued statement
in which he gave the names men,
toned and continued as follows:
1--WE have a partial confession from
one and an absolute confession from
another involving all seven.
There have been identifications and
we will not say how many.
"a great deal of credit must be