The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-02-18
ACCUSE 3 OF
PLOT TO LOOT
STATE OFFICE
Three Negroes Sought to
Rob Mayr's Golfers of
$4,000, Police Say.
'FRAMEUP' is CLAIMED
Capitol EmpIoye, Alleged
Ringleader, Asserts He
Is Innocent.

Hope of obtaining larger sum
Of money is believed by detectives
to have delayed an alleged at
tempt to rob the Office of Secre-
tary of State Frank Mayr Jr., set
for Monday, according to state
ments police say two of three Ne
groes, in custody on "a conspiracy
to rob charge, made today fol-
lowing arrest Wednesday.
Arrangement of the three is set
for this afternoon in Municipal
Judge William H. Sheaffer's court.
John F. johnson, Al, of 213O
Boulevard place, superintendent of
mails in the Office. who denies any
part in the alleged plot, is at lib
erty today under $4,000 bond. The
other prisoners are Ernest Martin,
"a, 318 Indiana avenue, and Will
liam Singleton, 80, of 225 West st.
Clair street.
The trio hoped to obtain $50, 900 in
the robbery, police claim.
tits a frame-up. They have
been trying to get me for two years,
Johnson declared today.
After working a few hours this
morning Johnson was suspended by
James Carpenter, head of the au-
tomobile license division in Mayr'S
office, pending outcome of the case.
Tells Of Anonymous Calls
According to johnson, a. janitor
was overheard by Martin discussing
the manner in which money is
handled in the office, and Johnson
asserts the alleged robbery plot de-
veloped from that.
Martin has been befriended by
him on several occasions, Johnson
asserted, having received clothing
and payment of his rent. When
Johnson confronted him following
arrest, Martin at first denied
making statement, but later ad-
mitted doing so, according to his
fellow accused.
johnson said he received two
anonymous telephone calls warning
of the plot and told state police
about the first. but said nothing
concerning the second call, explain
ing that the first had resulted in
extra guards being posted around
the office.
Alleged Plot Details Related
Johnson, according to H. A.
Strange, assistant chief of state rc-
lice, warned him of the plot early
Monday, stating that he had re-
ceived an anonymous telephone call
that an effort would be made to rob
the Office to obtain automobile
license money.
According to statements, which,
police say, they obtained from Mar
tin and Singleton, the robbery was
suggested and planned by johnson,
Martin says, according to officers,
he was approached by Johnson on
Jan. Is with the question as to
whether he wanted to make some
"easy money"
johnson said the statehouSe is
q setup," Martin is reported to have
asserted. ST told him that was a lot
of money and big job and he said
for me to let it ride and think it
over"
On Feb. II, the statement con-
tinues, Martin and Johnson met
Singleton and the Office employee is
said to have warned the other two:
Warned Not to Shoot
"Don't shoot, because if you shoot
some one more racket will be raised
than if you get 100000"
The robbery was set for a period
between $3.50 and 9 Monday morn
ing, the Martin statement is re-
ported to allege.
At that time Martin is reported tc
have said, Johnson told him there
would be only one man and two
women in the Office.
Singleton'S statement is similar tc
that of Martin, officers said. Both
said johnson told them the loot
would be about $4,000, according to
police.
Martin and Singleton assert
ed johnson gave them detailed
instructions and promised to pro-
vide suitcase in which to carry
the money and two automobiles to
be used in effecting escape, police
claim.