The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-03-29
$4,000 IN CASH AND
$4,000 SECURITIES
TAKEN BY RAIDERS
At Least S25, 900 More Left as
Collateral For Loans
Snatched Also
MACHINE GUNS ARE USED
"a Persons in Branch Of North
western National Bank
During Robbery

Minneap polls, March 29.-F)-Seven
bandits. four carrying Sub-machine
guns, Tuesday held up "a persons
in an outlying bank and escaped with
$4,000 in cash, $l25,000 In securities
left for safe-keeping and at least $685.
600 more left as collateral for loans.
One customer was slugged as the
North American branch of the
Northwestern National Bank was
looted of the. largest amount taken
by bank robbers in Minnesota his
tory. E. w. Decker, president of the
Northwestern National, announced
the loss.
Eighteen officials and employees
and six customers were forced TO lie
on the floor after the bandits
threatened to shoot them unless j. A.
Kunz, manager, opened the vault.
They cleared the vault of virtually
all the cash and negotiable securities,
and also took non-negotiables. Tney
fled in an automobile after using one
car as a decoy to attract the atten-
ton of a policeman on nearby cor
ner.
Drove Through Sign
This car drove through traffic
stop sign and as the policeman at
tempted to halt 1t, the second, with
the robbers, drove up to the bank,
one of the largest financial institu-
lions outside, the downtown district.
Decker explained the $l25,O0O In
safe-keeping was not in safe deposit
boxes but comprised bonds or other
securities left with the bank by Gus
toners. He said he didn't know
what Of this would be negotiable but
was OF the opinion some would be.
1.-The bank Is fully protected
against all losses" Decker said.
AS the bandits were, leaving, one
of them, apparently the leader. turn
ed to the group of victims and sneer-
ingly said:
GO down to police headquarters.
You'll find our pictures down there.
Take good look at them-because
it won't do you any good"
Search In st. Paul
The search for the bandits con-
centrated in st. Paul after police re-
ceived q report that the bandit car
was seen speeding out Larpenteur
avenue.
Rome B. Gross, assistant manager
of the institution, was seated at his
desk and Kunz, manager, was in the
washroom when two men entered.
One stepped up to Gross desk,
thrust the muzzle of an automatic
pistol against his side.
Get down on that floor. you-,"
he barked.
Gross hand was on the alarm buzz
ger but he was thrust away suddenly.
He lay on the floor.
Three other bandits trooped
through the front door. Others fol-
lowed. So many things happened
simultaneously, witnesses said. there
was no coherent account Of the al
fair from any one person.
Employees looked up as the mob en-
tered. They were confronted with an
array of weapons.
Bandits Curse Loudly
Snarling their commands and ours
ing loudly, the bandits ordered the
employees from their desks, cages and
tables and herded them to the rear
of the banking room. One bandit
pointed pistol at the telephone oper-
ator and ordered her away from the
switchboard. An open line buzzed
throughout the holdup.
Six customers were forced to join
employees on the floor. Kunz came
out Of the Mushroom. A gunman
thrust the muzzle Of sub-machine
gun against his side.
Lie down there with the rest OF
the rats" the bandit ordered.
Next the gunman pointed out one
of the number on the floor and told
him to get the janitor. who was IN
the basement.
Get him and get that back door
open," the bandit shouted.
The roar Of q motor was heard out
side the bank In the alley.
I'VE want that vault open. Who's
got the combination?" demanded the
leader, pointing gun at Edward A.
Perlich, teller. Perlich said he didn't
know the combination and the bandit
picked Kunz from the floor and fore
ed him to open the vault.
Meanwhile. the cash vault, separ-
ate from the safety deposit vault, had
been looted.