Evening star., 1933-01-19
MERCHANT |SSHOT
RESISTING HO[D-UP
ON GEORGIA AVENUE
Father of Four Near Death
After Gun Battle With
Two Bandits.
RADIO ENGINEER TAKEN
IN CUSTODY BY POLICE
Delicatessen Owner, Alone in Store,
Draws Pistol When Ordered
to "Stick EN- Up

Arthur A. Berman, 48-year-old father
OF four children. was shot and critical
ly wounded early today in a gun bat
tie with two bandits, who attempted
to hold him up in his all-night deli
catsssen. at 1923 Georgia avenue.
Soon after the shooting. which oc-
CURED about 1:3O am, Policeman w.
c. Grooms, sixth precinct, arrested a
32-year-old radio engineer, who is said
to have been driving an automobile of
the same make and model as one that
pulled away from the store immediate
ly after the gun battle.
At the same time, police of all pre-
cincts were making an intensive search
for the two bandits, and descriptions
OF the pair also were broadcast to Bal
timore and other points in Maryland
and Virginia.
Bandit Draws Gun.
Berman was alone in the delicates-
sen when the hcld-up men entered One
OF them asked for a package of cigar
cites, and Berman turned toward a
shelf behind the counter AS he turned
around with the cigarettes in his hand,
one OF the bandits drew gun and or
dered him to stick 'em up
Instead of complying, Berman
dropped the cigarettes and picked up
a .38-callber revolver kept behind the
counter for just such an emergency.
As Berman moved toward the gun,
the bandits started for the door, the
armed man firing as he ran. Although
one of the bullets struck Berman's
chest. piercing his lung. he ran into
the street after the bandits. emptying
his pistol at them. He fired five shots
The hold-up men separated outside
one of them running west on Webster
street and the other darting into an
alley. 1t was about this time that the
car. in which an accomplice is believed
to have been waiting, pulled away from
the curb
Recovery Doubtful.
Policeman Edward F. Brown. tenth
precinct who was on duty about a
block away. heard the shots and ran
to the store. He placed Berman in a
taXicab and sent him to Garfield
Hospital. where he was said to have
only fighting chance for life.
His wife, Mrs Bernice Berman. who,
with her four daughters, ranging in
age from 4 to It. was asleep in their
living quarters above the store at the
time of the shooting, went to his
bedside.
Descriptions Of both the bandits and
the machine were flashed over the
police teletype system. and the radio
engineer was picked up shortly there
after. In his pocket police found a
screw driver and sheriff's badge.
Only a few days ago, Brown reported.
Berman told him he was mot afraid
Of being held up" that he was all
ready" for bandits.
Robbery Suspect Arrested.
Charles c. Williamson. 38. Of the 200
block of Fourth street. was arrested
late last night on charges Of assault
with intent to kill and robbery after he
was alleged to have taken Frank A.
Bazata for a ride attacked him with
a blackjack and robbed him of S23.
Traffic Policeman H. G. Thomas and
j. o. Curtis arrested Williamson at a
bus terminal as he was buying ticket
for Randleman, N c. The arrest was
made at the request of authorities in
Prince Georges County. where the
alleged assault and robbery occurred.
Bazata, who lives at 416 New Jersey
avenue. reported he accepted William
sons invitation to go for an automobile
ride early in the evening. Williamson
drove to a lonely spot near Accokeek,
Md, Bazata said and after hitting him
on the head, took the money and a
check for the same amount.
Bazata told his story to Constable H.
Sweeney, who took him to the Office of
a justice of the peace, where he swore
out a warrant