Putnam patriot., 1929-07-03
BOY BANDITS GIVEN
 LONG TERMS IN PRISON
Nelson and Hardy, Who Held Up Donald Cockburn, Sem
 fenced Friday
Roekas, Young Leader of Criminals.
 Back in industrial School

No leniency was shown the two boy bandits. Jerry Nelson, IT. of Clare mont. N. II, and Wendell Hardy, also IT. of Claremont, N. H.. who, with Frank Rockas, escaped from the re- formatory at Manchester, N. H., and on the Providence pike, Wednesday, June 18th, held up Donald Cockburn, travelling salesman, of Melrose, Mass-s and left him tied Co tree in the Saw yer district, Putnam, when arrniRned at a special criminal term of the su- perior court at Willimantie, last Erie day. Nelson was sentenced to states prison for not less than six nor more than ten years, while Hardy was sen- tenced to the state refOrmatory at Cheshire for an indefinite period.
 The two young outlaws were ar- raigned on bench warrants charging them with robbery at the point of a gun and of the theft of an automobile. The second charge was nolled by the court. and Judge l.. r. Waldo Marvin sentenced them on the first count.
 Roekas Taken Back
 Rockas, following the arrest of the trio the same evening that the crime was committed. was taken hack to New Hampshire after the three young criminals had been brought back to Putnam it was alleged that kockas Is responsible for the shooting of an- other youth in Nashua, \. H., and that he, while the youngest of the bandit trio was the brains and the leader in the prison break and suhse- aueut crimes. The trio were not re- turned Co jail but were taken Co inc two institutions to which the court sentenced them by Sheriff Charles A. Gates during Friday afternoon.
 When presented in court reading oi the charges against them was waiVed bv Public Defender Harry h Back Both pleaded guilty State's Attorney Howard C. Bradford outlined the ease and delved into the records oi me youths. He then made the recommen- dations which were adopted by me court. .-t
 The states attorney said that Nei- eon is regarded as in incofrlgihie ana had made at least two escapes rom inc industrial school Bardy, previous Co the escapade that brought him and his companion before Che court had a good reputation and was g trusty ab the institution
 sIHffNN Nts hfNNt tstf NNf fftt AANhf ittt'ta NfA Inc Manchester institution, who arr rived in Putnam Friday morning, be- IievinR court was Co convene herei reached Wiliimnutic in time Co make a brief statement tO the court regard Ing the boys
 The Crime Committed
 Rockas. Nelson and Hardy held up Cockburn between this city and Che paehet. They held gun pressed against his ribs and made him drive 70 Putnam. When they reached corner south from the Children's Home they ordered him to drive into the road that comes out in the Walnut street section of the city. In remote spot they orr dered him out and tied him to a tree with their neckties and belt. Then they made on in his car.
 After Cockburn had released hih- gcM and given the alarm, a net was set for the bandits and they were seen near Danbury. An officer gave chase and in making sharp corner the pah- dit car tipped over and the youths were captured They told, ln psaE ging way. Of their crimes and nAoe evident that they were sorry thae they had not bumped of tncir Fiet'm to prevent his talking.