The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1931-03-26

Three .Sherihs Nab Fiue Men
For Series of Store R0bberies
Vesta, Wabass0, Lucan, Wood
Lake and Client Stores
Suffer Pillagings

AoAC anu 0uSnt OtVAC
Suffer Pillagings
THREE OFFICIALS WORK
Sheriff Kise Helps Run Down
Gang Specializing in
Store Robbery
Through rigid investigation start
ing on February A, 1881, the day fol-
lowing the Bendix Store robbery at
Vesta, Sheriff l. J. Kise and County
Attorney Geo. A. Barnes working in
cooperation with Sheriff Fitzner of
Yellow Medicine county and Sheriff
Geo. Rankin of Lyon county have
solved the seven store robberies in
the three counties. The robberies in
volved garages, pool halls, general
stores and a meat market. Five men
were run down and arrested for these
crimes which spread over a period of
six weeks starting, with the Vesta
store on February 8.
The men who, after hard grilling
which lasted several hours, confessed
to the crimes are Bill Riley, Arthur
Richter, Herman Conrad, Richard
Robinson and 16 year old youngster
who gives his name as Bang, all of
Marshall. Beginning with the Vesta
robbery on February 3, the whole
gang or parts Of it robbed the follow
ing place, in order:
John Schmid Market Wabasso
Pool Hall Lucan
Leistikow Store Wabasso
General Store Wood Lake
Garage Client
Store Client
A lead, although slim in itself, was
picked up in Cottonwood following
the robbery of the Wood Lake store.
The night this store was entered sew
eral men were seen to stop at Cotton
wood where work was done to their
car. They appeared suspicious and
Sheriff Fitzner started an investiga-
ton. The general idea was that the
car belonged to Riley but there was
no way in connecting him with the
Wood Lake or the other robberies ex-
cept that he had been seen riding
with fruit truck on several different
occasions and would have been well
acquainted with the stores. The
night the car stopped at Cottonwood
citizens noticed that several wire
spokes were broken out of the wheel
used as spare.
A hunt was started for this car and
was discovered by the deputy sheriff
of Lyon county in Marshall who inn
mediately notified Sheriffs Kise and
Fitzner. Arthur Richter was found
to be the owner of the car. The Of
ficials were then satisfied that they
were on the right track and practic-
ally had the entire gang.
Richter was picked up and con-
fessed to the Wood Lake robbery. He
also stated that he had been accom-
panied by Riley, Conrad and Bang.
A raid was made in Marshall on
Richter's home where merchandise
was found which had been taken from
Vesta, Wabasso and Client. After
grillings lasting some time Richter
admitted the Vesta and the two
Client robberies. Richter named Con-
rad and Riley as accomplices in both
the Vesta and Client affairs.
So far no one would confess to the
Wabasso robberies. Robinson was
held and questioned but was releas-
ed. The following day Sheriff Kise
again sought Robinson and this time
lodged him in Jail at Redwood Falls,
Here he denied all connections with
the robberies. He was taken to Gran
lite Falls were the other four were be-
ing held. All were questioned there,
with Richter taking the chair first.
After a drawnout session he admit
ted the Wabasso and Lucan jobs.
Conrad was next and was questioned
in the presence of Richter. He fatty
denied all reports at first but finally
came through with the same story as
that Of Richter. Robinson was ques-
tioned in the presence of both the
others and denied. Riley was brought
N and was questioned. All admitted
that Robinson had been one of them.
Robinson finally gave in and con-
fessed as being one Of the gang.
Tuesday all received their sent
snces, Robinson appearing before
Judge A. B. Gislason at New Ulm
and receiving sentence Of three
years in st. Cloud. Richter, Riley
md Conrad were given indeterminate
sentences in st. Cloud not to exceed
i've years. Bang was sentenced to
Red Wing Reform School in Juvenile
Court and was released on probation.
The work done by the ofic-
ais from Redwood, Yellow Medicine
md Lyon counties has broken gang
which was expanding and making
robbery its business.