Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-06
NEW SUSPECT HELD
IN Staying CASE
Washington Man, Facing
Baltimore Murder Quiz,
Processes Innocence.

Two hours after two suspects picked
up here in connection with the murder
early yesterday morning of Louis Lo-
COCO, restaurant keeper of Baltimore,
had been released by Baltimore police,
Joseph Gentle 35, of Hyattsville, Md,
was taken into custody by headquarters
detectives shortly after noon today and
held for the Maryland police.
Gentile's arrest was made by De-
tective Thomas Sweeney. Gentle pro-
tested his innocence of the crime and
said that although he had been in Bal
timore yesterday to see sick relative,
it was the first time he had visited
there.
Meanwhile the car which was seen
by Patrolman Michael Hoban of the
Baltimore police force speeding away
from the restaurant where Hoban found
Lococo's sprawled body on the floor,
was discovered today by Policeman
William E. McCarter of the ninth pre-
clnct at Seventh and G streets. Ofhe
B. Jones of the 1900 block of Irving
street, in whose name the auto tags
were said to be listed, was released to-
day after severe grilling by Baltimore
police, along with Augustine Santucci
OF the 1900 block of North Capiol street.
Thomas Restifo of the 1900 block
Quincy street, another suspect arrested
yesterday by Washington detectives and
taken to Baltimore for questioning in
connection with the murder, was re-
leased late yesterday.
Gentle Gives Self Up.
Gentle was first booked at head
quarters merely as fugitive from JUS
tice. He is an Italian, IS years of age,
and the request for his arrest was made
by Capt. Burns of the Baltimore police.
Only after he had been booked police
admitted they had taken him in con.
nection with the Baltimore murder.
Gentle went to the Office of Harry
Grant, attorney, today after learning
he was wanted in connection with the
murder and later surrendered to police.
Thomas Restifo, also arrested with
Jones and Santucci, was released yes
terday.
Policeman Heard Shots.
Lococo's body was found on the floor
Of his Pearl street restaurant by Police
man Hoban. who said he heard several
reports, but assumed the noises were
caused by workmen piling crates in
Lexington market. A few minutes later
he saw two men enter the machine
bearing the Washington license and
speed down the street. He noted the
license number, and entering the res
taurant, found Lococo's body sprawled
on the floor, with two bullet wounds In
the chest and another through the
head Money found in the cash register
caused the Baltimore police to discard
a robbery theory. They attributed the
murder either to feud in an Italian
society or a bootleg war. Lococo was a
native of Sicily, and lived in boarding
house in Baltimore.
Enlisted Capital Authorities.
Lieut.. Joseph j. Nelligan Of the west
ern precinct came to Washington with
a squad Of men, and enlisted the serv-
ices OF the homicide squad Of the
Washington police force. Lieut.. Joseph
Morgan, Detective Thomas Sweeney,
Joseph M. Waldron and John Fowler
accompanied the Baltimore detectives
to the address of the man to whom the
license number of the car was issued
and arrested Jones. They then picked
up Santucci and Restifo. Baltimore de-
tectives then took them to Baltimore.
None Of the men taken into custody
has a police record, according to the
Washington police,
The murder of Lococo was the eighth
major crime In Baltimore in 70 hours.
The cases include three murders, two
attacks on women, a hold-up and a
burglary. No further arrests had been
made today In the latest Staying.