Evening star., 1925-11-07
ROBBERY IS STAGED
TO ESCAPE PRISON
Dayton Man Fails in Effort to
Avoid Tax Penalty by
New Crime.
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
DAYTON, Ohio, November =
Faced with a term in prison either
way he turned, Elliot Gabler, 80,
president of the Gem City Engineer
ing Co. yesterday attempted to emu
late another Dayton business man
and fight his way out of financial
difficulties by staging bank robbery.
Gabler staged a daylight downtown
robbery of H j. Kloos, manager of
branch bank in East Dayton. OBJ
tanning possession for four hours of
$4,000 in currency of small denomi-
nation.
Gabler. in his confession, said he
first had noticed kloos in the bank
month ago, obtained his automobile
license number, followed him and
then observed his actions and routes.
a week ago he attempted the robbery
when he cut the feed line in Kloos'
automobile, but there was sufficient
gasoline in the vacuum tank to get
the bank manager back to his branch.
Made Job More Sure.
Yesterday morning Gabler made
the work more sure. Not only did
he disconnect the feed line while
kloos' automobile stood in front of
the bank at the main street intersec-
tfon of the city. but at the point of
heaviest traffic. This done he placed
a rag in the vacuum tank, leaving
Just enough fuel to take Kloos out
OF the congested district
Following his designated victim
from the bank, Gabler drove up when
kloos' automobile stalled seven
squares from the bank. Ordering the
manager into his own car, Gabler
drove to the city limits.
Gabler then forced the banker from
the automobile, threatening his life
If he attempted to follow. Kloos dis
regarded and followed, drawing a
volley Of shots, none 6f which took
effect
Within an hour after the robbery
Gaoler was in custody and identified
by his victim. He maintained his in
nocence until officers, searching a ga
rage across the alley from Gabler's
place OF business, came upon the
money in sack buried under a pile of
cans. Then he confessed.
had to go to prison anyway" he
said, and 1t was just a question
which one. Federal officers were
pressing me for $1,000 fine and $500
income tax payment I had failed to
make. I thought could get away
with this and pay them off,
The entire case closely parallels that
OF the Phantom Bandit" Fred Nickol,
president OF his own manufacturing
concern.
Nickol staged a daylight robbery of
another branch bank and escaped with
sZZ,seO, but was captured a week
later, and also confessed Here again
pressure Of business troubles and
overpowering debt were given as the
primary motives in the case. Both
roooeries were deliberately planned.
NickoI Now in Prison.
Nickol pleaded guilty, and now is
tentiary.
On several occasions Gabler has
come to the notice Of the DAYTON DO.
ice department, but never In a Grim
maj way, except once when he was
arrested Tor bootlegging. When KIoos
gave his description to Inspector of
Detectives Yendes Immediately after
the robbery he was able to make such
d close and detailed one Yendes
suspected Gabler and started his in.
Nestlgation in that direction.
When arrested Gabler was dirty
from the work of his bench, his hands
were STEPPED in oil and CRIME and he
ma nMad all the appearance of a mechanic,
Inc Gem City Engineering Co. has
Deen IN operation several years. and Ia
located In the rear Of Gabler's home.
Federal officials last night had NOT
confirmed the statement of Gabler he
was facing arrest for failure to nav
ms income tax. Police, however. sav
income "a MS
Following his detailed confession to
police. Gabler was taken 70 coll
Where he is awaiting his arraignn,ent
peiore Municipal Court authorities
this morning