The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-06-25
TRIO HELD AS
SUSPECTS IN
STORE RAIDS
Police Charge Group With
Being Chain Grocery
Bandit Gang.

Failing to heed the warning of
disaster which accompanies crime
when his brother, Orville McNeece,
was killed in gun battle with
police Cfficer in Chicago, Gard Nc
-Neece, 10, of 910 South New Jer-
sey street, himself took up a crime
career, police claimed today.
The youth was arrested with John
E. Mutter, 10, of the South New
Jersey street address, and Henry
Davis, 26, of 1910 Union street, on
charges Of auto banditry and rob-
berry.
1t is alleged the three comprised
the gang which has been preying
upon chain groceries here for the
last three weeks, executing a score
of daring daylight robberies.
Police say the trio has confessed
nine holdups here and one at Gin
cinnati The three are being ques-
toned about other robberies.
Killed in Gun Battle
Orville McNeece, brother of the
arrested youth, was killed in gun
battle with Chicago police officer
several months after he is alleged
to have attempted to kidnap the
policeman, in plain clothes, in the
officers automobile.
McNeece was wanted at the time
in Bowling Green, KY, for holdup
of the Oakland (Ky0 state bank,
in which three men participated. In
escaping after the holdup the trio
engaged in gun battle with a posse
at Smiths Grove, KY, and j. Rob-
ert Kirby, bank president Of that
place, was shot and killed.
Elmer Grayson, one of the three
bandits, was captured two days
later and was sentenced to life i'm
prisonment. McNeece and a COM
panion escaped and later engaged
in the gun battle with the officer in
Chicago.
Confessions Are Claimed
Robberies confessed, according to
police, by the three youths held
here are: Standard grocery at 1917
South Meridian street, May %, $l06
loot; A. 81 P. store, Spruce and Min
nesota streets, June 6, 500 loot;
Kroger store, 1926 South Talbot
street, June II, $75; Standard store,
1924 Shelby street, June IS, 5000;
Standard grocery, 2722 East Wash
ingtcn; Standard store, POLL South
eastern avenue, SIS; A. & P. store,
1923 North East street, June %;
Standard grocery, 2208 East Tenth
street, $50; chain store at Cincin-
natl, $50.
Arrests were made by Detectives
Becker, Schulz, Brickley and Fin
neran.
Four men were captured in an
other arrest by police which may
solve a number of robberies. Lencia
Vonzales, 90, of GOA East New York
street; Seedie Denzio, IT, of 1919
South Davidson street; Johnny
Jones, IS, of 637 South Alabama
street, and Charles Lewis, 81, of
1923 Harrison street, were charged
with burglary and petit larcency
after Motor Policemen Harry
Schley and Fred Hague say they
found the four at a Standard fill
ing station at Fletcher avenue and
Noble sterets early today.
Two gasoline pumps at the station
had been broken open, the officers
say, and a gasoline hose was in the
car when the four were surprised.
Vonzales claimed he purchased the
car at Toledo, O., the car bearing
Ohio license plates.
Mrs. Lola Rugenstein, 1922 North
Illinois street, reported to police a
man leaped onto the running board
of her automobile seven miles north
of Martinsville Tuesday night and
attempted to turn off ignition Of the
car. She speeded the machine and
swerved and the man was thrown
to the roadway. where he remained
when she looked back a short time
later. No trace was found of the
man by Martinsville police.