The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-01-08

Three of the bandits, accord
ing to the descriptions given
detectives, wore Sheep-lined,
short coats. The fourth, ap"
parently of foreign lineage and
the leader of the gang, wore a
light overcoat.
Three carried saWed-off shotgunS
and the fourth two revolvers.
All except the leader we're under
80. He was older.
The only cIew they left behind
was an empty flour sack similar to
one in which the loot was carried
away. 1t carried the name OF a To-
cal grocer, whom police will ques-
ton.
According to w, B. Gates, den-
tist with offices over the bank, they
drove away in a dark blue or green
sedan, speeding west toward the
downtown section.
Four Believed in Gang
Whether a member Of the gang
was left at the wheel of the car
could not be determined.
Customers and bank employees
differed as to whether three, four
or five bandits came into the bank
ing rooms, but detectives believed
there were four.
They entered the bank just be-
hind Verna C. zander. 402 South
Butler avenue. zander said he
thoughtshe saw their car driven up
in front as he came in.
Ted M. Campbell, manager 65
North Layman avenue, was seated
with Miss Margaret Askren, note
teller, at his desk at the front, to
the left of the room.
One of the bandits advanced to-
ward Campbell waving a roll Of
bills. When the bandit got close he
pulled sawed-off shotgun from
under his coat.
Bandit Gets Rough
whats the matter? What's
that?" asked Campbell.
Get over here. This is a sawed
off shotgun, I'll show what's the
matter" replied the bandit.
In the meantime, zander had
lined up with customers at one
of the windows. One of the BAN
dts pushed against him and zar1-
der told him, Get back in line"
"You get back if you want to
live" said the bandit, and drew
his shotgun from under his coat.
Previously one Of the bandits had
questioned James Moffett, 20, 306
North Irvington avenue, teller in
cage two, about travellers checks.
At the same time the other gang
sters drew their guns, the bandit In
front of the cage produced his and
pointed it through the window at
Moffett.
Employees Herded Together
Another bandit had gone to the
rear of the cages and, with the AID
of the bandit With the reyolverss
gathered UP" Gale Eaton, %, OF
1915 North Oakland avenue, teller IN
the third cage; Miss Merl Davis,
bookkeeper, 1873 Downing avenue;
Joseph McClanahan. 18, bookkeeper,
SAL North Rural street; Ed Null
vaney, 1S, bookkeeper. of 20l North
Walcott street, and Moffett.
The bookkeeper had been work
ing in a space in the rear Of the
three cages, which are along the
right side of the bank. r. G.
Wright, 81, assistant cashier, Beech
Grove, EAd been working in a space
on the right side of the bank in
front of the cages
All the employees and customers
were herded into the enclosure at
the front and right side. while the
cages and vaults we're looted, and
then we're showed into the vault.
The vault door was left open 4
few inches.
Campbell waited few minutes
after hearing the bandits leave. TO
make sure that no one vas In the
banking rooms and in danger from
bullets. before he sounded bur-
glar alarm in the vault.
Thirty-five police and half
dozen deputy Sheriffs searched
roads southeast OF the city as far
as Shelbyvilie. Several suspicious
cars were reported speeding east
immediately after the robbery.