Evening star., 1932-10-05
Herbert E. Johnson, As,
Bound, Gagged and Left in
Woods by Two Men.
DETECTIVES HAVE CLUE,
BUT HIDE ITS NATURE
Meat Store Proprietor Warned He
Would Be "Put on the Spot
Auto Is Hunted.

Herbert E. Johnson, As, proprietor of
a meat store in Union Market, was un-
der police guard today after being
warned that he would be put on the
spot" by two men who kidnapped him
last night and left him lying, bound and
gagged. in a patch of woods beside the
Colesville pike, about 6 miles beyond
Silver Spring
Johnson, who lives in Alexandria, was
abducted about $50 pm as he stepped
from his automobile, parked in front Of
an apartment house in the HOO block
OF Spring road. After the kidnapers. one
OF whom was armed with a revolver.
mad abandoned him in the woods and
orlVen away in his car, he lay on the
wet ground, for more than an hour be-
fore he succeeded in freeing himself.
Jammed Gun Into Abdomen.
On his way to visit a woman friend
living in the Spring road apartment
house, johnson had Just gotten out of
his machine, he told police, when the
two men stepped up to him Jamming
a gun into his abdomen, one of the
strangers ordered him to get back into
the automobile he said.
One of the men got behind the steer
ing wheel, he continued. while the other
kept him covered with the revolver. He
was driven to a secluded spot some
distance from the Colesville pike, he
said, and there the men ordered him
from the car
After searching his pockets and TAX
ing wallet containing receipts and
other papers. the men tied his hands
and feet with telephone wire, stuffed
handkerchief into his mouth and blind
folded him Apparently assuming the
wallet contained his money, they neg
lected to look in one of his trousers
pockets-therehy losing approximately
s65 in bills They took a small amount
OF change from another pocket, how
ever.
Warned to Await Boss.
Rolling Johnson into clump of
bushes. the men warned him he would
be put on the spot" if he did not wait
until they return with the boss" at
midnight. The boss wants to talk TO
you" one of them said.
AS the men drove off in his machine.
however, Johnson went TO work on his
bonds, finally managing to wriggle
loose. He made his way to the road
and accosted passing motorist. who
took him to the Montgomery County
POiI1c SlUSldllOil at SllNer SDrlnE.
The Maryland authorities Immediately
broadcast lockout for Johnson's auto
mobile, and Washington and Baltimore
police were asked to Join the hunt for
the two fugitives. johnson said the
men headed toward Baltimore when
they left him
Police Report "Strong Lead"
Detective Sergt. Larry ODea and
other members of the headquarters
hold-up squad Immediately went to
work on what they described as q
strong lead" Refusing to reveal the
nature of the information in their pos
session, they expressed hope it would
lead to the mems capture.
Johnson. who is estranged from his
wife and four children. said he has been
visiting the Spring road address nearly
every night for about year A few
nights ago. he said, a girl living in the
neighborhood told him two men had
been making inquiries anent the owner
ship of his automobile
He described his abductors as being
''tough-looking. wearing dark clothes
and caps. One Of them was about 35
and the other about 10 years younger,
he added.