Evening star., 1933-02-19
|BOETTCHER K|DNAP
NEG0T|AT0R SLAIN
Denver Gang Chiefs Body Is
RidHed-TWo Sought in
Abduction Held.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
DENVER, February 1s-Police Chief
Albert T. Clark, announced tonight j.
F. Rotitto and Frank Mortellaro,
caught in dragnet investigation of
the Staying Of Joseph Pasquale Roma,
Denver gang overlord, were suspects in
the kidnapping Of Charles Boettcher, I'd
Clark said it was known there had
been Ill feeling between Rotitto and
Roma, who was shot to death at his
home today. Beyond announcing that
the two men were suspects in the
Boettcher case. the chief would not
comment.
Roma was known to have denied he
kidnapped Boettcher, but to have de-
clared that he could assist officers to re-
turn the captive millionaire if they
wanted his help.
Predicts Arrest of Two.
At the same time Clark predicted
arrest of two men in Northwestern Col
orado within 36 hours in the Boettcher
case. Police have been searching that
region since yesterday morning.
Detectives were also combng the
mountain region south of Denver to-
night, presumably on some hot in
formation on the abduction last Sunday
of Boettcher, young investment broker,
who is held for 100000 ransom.
Clark said Rotitto was a California
gangster who had recently horned in"
on the local racket, an interference
Roma resented.
Mortellaro and Rotitto were arrested
at the formers home, short distance
from the Roma residence. Both were
armed. They were booked for investiga-
ton and carrying concealed weapons
Many pistol bullets pierced Roma's
body. Officers said he apparently had
been surprised while playing mandolin
Roma was reported to have conferred
with police concerning the abduction of
Boettcher, wealthy young broker, who
Is held for 100000 ransom, but there
was no specific indication late today of
connection between the kidnapping and
the Staying.
Roma was questioned a year ago in
the kidnapping of Benjamin P. Bower
bakery manager who was freed after
several days in captivity, but was never
connected with the case.
Mail Handled Specially.
One development in the Boettcher
kidnapping was an order by postal au-
thorities for special system of handling
mail addressed to his family and Rev
B. D. Dagwell, dean Of fashionable
Denver church, who has participated in
strategic conferences in the case.
Postal authorities instructed mail COL
lectors to ScrutiniZe mail found in street
boxes and send those addressed to Dean
Dagwell and the Boettcher family to
them by special messenger.
Detectives investigating the shooting
of Roma said they believed he knew
his slayer or slayers and had risen from
his chair in welcome.
Roma was found slumped in the chair
by his wife, Mrs. Nettie Roma. when
she retl1ned from visit with her
mother. She told authorities her hus-
band apparently was still alive but he
toppled to the floor when she attempted
to assist him to rise.
His mandolin was found near the
chair. Sheet music was piled neatly
on window sill.
Deputy Coroner George Bostwick.
who took charge Of Roma's body. said
a preliminary examination revealed so
many bullet wounds in tho mans body
it was impossible to determine how
many times he had been shot.
Bostwick announced further. the
wounds showed they were inflicted with
both SO and AS caliber weapons. in
dicating there was possibility OF two
assailants. The coroner said there were
powder burns on Roma's left arm. show
ing he had been shot at close quarters.
Authorized to Negotiate.
Friends of the Boettcher family said
they believed Dean Dagwell had been
authorized by Claude K. Boettcher,
wealthy father Of the missing man, to
negotiate with the kidnapers.
Dozens OF letters and telephone calls
received by the elder Boettcher served
only to complicate the situation.
"They apparently are the work OF
chislers," he said.
The father and James Grant, an at
torney, reiterated no word had been
received from the men who whisked the
broker away from his home last Sum
day night
Chief of Police Clark said he under
stood the father was considering is
suing an appeal to the kidnapers
through Denver newspaper.
Unverifed rumors that Boettcher
would be freed to relatives in Kansas
City today received scant attention from
authorities. Kansas City police said
they had received no communication
from Denver police and that they knew
nothing of rufhors that Boettcher would
be freed.
Linked to Many Cases.
Detectives investigating the Staying
of Roma said his name had been con-
nected with numerous police cases since
his arrest March 25, 1925, on mar
cotic charge
While Bower was held in captivity in
January, 1882, his abductors forced him
to write a letter to his wife. telling
her to pay $4,000 ransom and to de-
liver a letter in connection with the
ransom to 1.-The most notorious gangster
in North Denver"
After comforting with police Mrs.
Bower delivered letter to Roma which
he accepted 1t was determined, how
ever, that Roma had no connection with
the Bower kidnapping and the abductors
merely sought to have him act as a 60 |
between.
Bower said the ransom was never
paid. The reputed ringleader Of the
kidnapping gang committed suicide to
prevent his capture by raiding squad J
Three other prisoners were sentenced to !
prison terms
The reputed leader was Joseph |
Clinton Riley, who shot himself to
death in a rooming house which Of |
fcers had surrounded. ,,