The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-09-22
new PINCH IS
NEAR IN PROBE
OF AUTO RING
Man Reported Involved in
Deal With LiboWitz Is
Sought by Police,
WARRANT FOR 'LEGGER
Brother of Blast Victim Held
in $4,000 Bond; Hear
ing tuesday.

Police and Federal authorities to-
day we're seeking another man pe-
lieved to have been implicated with
Bertram Libowitz, 81, of 80 NJ.
Jefferson Ave, in the interstate au-
tomobile theft ring, under investiga-
ton by Federal, State and county
authorities.
Libowitz, brother of Harold Libo-
WITT, fatally burned in the explosion
that wrecked the Traugott cloth
ing store, Aug. 26, was arrested
Friday on both Federal and State
warrants charging concealment,
storing and sale of a. car stolen at
Cleveland. Ohio.
The other suspect sought. whose
name was not made public nv
authorities, was seen here four DAYS
ago, but is believed since to have
left the city.
Warrant for BoOtlegger
In addition, Federal authorities
held warrant for arrest of an IN
dianapolis bootlegger on a LIQUOR
conspiracy charge growing out of
investigation Of the automobile theft
ring.
Arrested on a State warrant
charging him with concealine a
Buick sedan stolen from Cleveland.
Lioowitz was taken before Depart
ment of Justice operatives for
questioning. Later he was re-
arrested on the Federal warrant.
based on an affidavit signed by IL
a. Bangert, Department of Justice
operative.
Detective Clarence Colder signed
the first warrant against Libowitz
in Marion County Criminal Court.
Hearing on the Federal charge
before John W. Kern, United States
comn11ssioner, was postponed until
2 pi m. Tuesday by agreement of
Albert Ward, United States district
attorney. and Ira M. Holmes,
Libowitz' attorney.
Bond Set at $4,000
Libowitz was unable to provide
temporary bond of $4,000 and was
committed to Jail.
Holmes contested Wards insist
ence that the bond be set at $4,000.
the same as IT, at for Edward Trau-
gott and Harry and Elmer Sussman,
held as members Of the alleged
thief ring, terning the high bond
a denial of Libowitz's constitutional
right to reasonable bail.
This defendant is unable to
make such bond and an extra day
or two in Jail would hurt any man
committed wrongfully," Holmes ar
gued.
Holmes declared Libowitz DUR.
chased the car second hand through
a newspaper advertisement.
According to the explanation adj
vanced by Holmes, Libowitz met
the seller, whose name was NOT
given, bought the car at a. price
commensurate with it's value.@
went to the Secretary of States
Office and transferred the title ia
himself under the name of Libby.
later selling the car to someone else
when 1T did not run we'll.
Libowotz, although resident of
indianapolis all his life, RECENTLY
mad shortened his name to 'Libby''
Tor business reasons, Holmes said.
When Holmes insisted there was
no significance to the shortened
name. Ward said the change might
be a part of the conspiracy
Stock of the Traugott compsnv
which was in the store the night
OF the fire was released Friday
afternoon by the State fire mar
shall. Ira M. Holmes, attorney for
Edward Traugott, requested the
stock be returned.
The company also has filed an
insurance claim of 100000. which.
Holmes said, represented a 100 per
cent loss on stock and fixtures. By
registered mail today the Traugott
requested the insurance
companies to appoint appraisers to
estimate the losses.