New Britain herald., 1928-05-11
SHOTS RIDDLE CAK
 ON CAT HOLE ROAD
Meriden Man Reports Attempted
 Holdup Near Midnight
FOUR BULLETS HIT AUTO
stephen Bochenski, Returning Home After Being Arrested Here, Steps On Accelerator and Flecs When Guns Begin 10 Bark.

Disobeying a command to stop, by a youthful gunman who made a sud- den appearance out of the darkness in lonely spot on act Hole road near the Kensington- Meriden town line about 11:30 last night. Stephen Bochenski, aged 2g, of 105 Veteran street. Meriden, sped away amid a Neritable hail of bullets. four of which found their mark in various parts of his brougham. while at least two others went wild, accord Ing to his story to the police of Meriden and New Britain. At local police headquarters today, Bochen- ski looked at Frank Wesznar and Michael Hudak, who had spent the night as lodgers. and said he was satisfied that neither of them was the gunman. The young men hav- ing thus been given a clean bill of health, they were dismissed by the police.
 Sees Face At Window
 'I was driving along towards home after leaving the New Britain police station," Buchenski said to- | day. T slowed down to adjust the choke on my car as 1t seemed to me that the engine was stalling. I put II ln second gear and was going to proceed when l saw mans face at the window of my car. He ordered me to stop. but l feared it was q hold-up, so l drove off. I think he must have had another man with hlm or else he had two guns, be- cause nobody could fire as fast as he did with only one gun. One bullet struck my gasoline tank but did not pierce it, as it is covered. Another hit the spare tire rim, another crashed through the glass in the rear and the fourth came through the body of the car. I don't know how many others were fired at me, but l am sure I heard six. The ones that came through the rear window and the body were recovered, I've got one and the other is in the -''N' 'NNiA pcAANC cldl!Oll. EOlnR to keep mine as a souvenir. because I want to tell you I'm lucky fellow to be alive"
 Bochenski believes the Kunman came out of a car which was parked ! m the road. He saw the lights as he approached, but could not discern anyone in the darkness until he saw the face at the window. He said today he could recognize the gun man anywhere and he would never | forget the sound of his voice. He described him as having a dark con- plexion. slim of stature, and appear ing to be about 2S years of age. He Was wearing sweater, partly but toned. One of the lodgers was tall and slim and wore sweater, but after hearing him speak. Bochenski was certain of his innocence. The lodgers told the police they had rid den by train from Bridgeport to Berlin and to New Britain by bus, Police Hear Story at 3:1t n. m. | Bochenskis story to the Meriden police was relayed to Lieutenant ! Matthias Rival about 3:10 this morning. and the lieutenant sent back word that one of the lodgers might be the gunman. They were given lodging about 12:3O o'clock and when questioned in Bochenski's s presence before the opening of court, denied all knowledge of the gunplay.
 Bochenski reported the attempted hold-up to Patrolman Alix of Meri- den as soon as he reached the city proper. A search Of the vicinity was made without results. Bochen- ski Is painting contractor in Meri- den and at present is working in kensington.
 | Bochenski was arrested last night by Officer Peter Skierkowski on charges of passing a traic signal when 1t was set against him, and driving without having a license and q registration in his possession. He pleaded guilty when arraigned be- fore Judge Henry F. Roche in po- lice court today and had judgment suspended on payment of costs, amounting to s9.29, as he produced his license and registration and ex- plained that he had left them in his working clothes before taking his car out to drive relative to Bristol. The light at Main and Chestnut streets puzzled him, he said, and he did not know whether or not it was set against him. Judge Roche said ! he would be lenient on account of the fact that Bochenski did not live in New Britain and therefore might become confused when approaching | the light,