Evening star., 1952-01-08
III 1 ot Boy, IA
In October Barred by
Robbery Of Bank
BY The Assoeiated Press

BY the Associated Press
SALT LAKE CITY, Jan. "a
teen-age boy, missing since last
October, was found today chained
to a bed in filthy home here.
Police said a man held on bank
robbery charge admitted kid
naping the lad.
Except for> bruises over much
of his body. the youth was re-
ported in fair physical condition
The boy was Richard Evan
(Ricky) Henricksen, 14-year-old
son of Mr.. and Mrs. Evan r
Henricksen.
The boys father is garage
mechanic. The Henricksen's have
only one other child, Ricky's twin
sister. Irene.
Held in Salt Lake County jail
on Federal bank robbing charges
was John D. Billet. 24-year-old
Salt Lake City man.
Ricky disappeared last October
20. Police throughout the West
ern States had been alerted to
watch for him. Local officers had
questioned many persons, includ-
ing Billet
Break Is Sudden.
The break came with startling
suddenneSs. Billet was arraigned
on the Federal bank robbery
charge shortly before midnight.
He was accused of stealing $20,915,
taken in daring daylight robbery
|of the Eighth South Branch of
the First Security Bank during a
snowstorm. yesterday.
In the early hours of this morn
ing Billet called the jailer and
told him he wanted to tell officers
his story.
Chief Deputy Sheriff T. A, Cal
licott said the strange tale then
unfolded like this:
Billet said he was responsible
for the abduction of the Henrick-
sen boy and agreed to lead officers
to the hideout where the lad was
held.
Light Flashes On.
Billet and two carloads of Off
GERS drove to a Southeastern Salt
Lake City residential area. They
entered a house, set some distance
back from the street.
Billet called out: "Rick." The
officers were led into another room
where a light flashed on.
Blinking in the sudden light was
the boy, lying on a bed, a chain
around his ankle and fastened to
the foot of the bedstead.
Ricky told of his abduction after
he was freed. Both he and Billet
were employed at a used car lot,
the boy serving as car washer
and errand boy.
Told He Was Officer,
Last October 20 Ricky said Bill
lett told him he was special
police officer. The lad said he was
accused of various thefts and was
informed he would have to go
with Billet for questioning.
II really thought he was a po-
liceman," Ricky said. HE took
me to tourist cabin across the
street and told me I was under
arrest and not to run away if
didn't want to get into trouble
with the police,
I'VE stayed there four or five
days and then moved to the house.
!. -. Johnny had a pair of hand
cuffs and used them to fasten me
to the bed. He had a chain, too,
and some Of the time he fastened
the chain around one or both my
ankles and locked me to the bed
with a paddock"
Tells of Beatings.
Ricky then told of a serise of
beatings, which he said were de-
scribed as tests to see if I would
confess to stealing all that stuff. -
Mr.. Callicott said the boy told
of numerous indignities at the
hands of his captor. The man
slept with him most Of the time
he was held, Mr.. Callicott said
Ricky told him.
Mr.. Callicott said Billet had
served a prison sentence in Cali
fornia for robbery, being released
June 81, 1850, on condition he
leave the State. The deputy
sheriff said that officers, arresting
Billet on the California robbery
charge, found a sailor bound and
gagged in Billett's room. He was
not charged in connection with
that incident. however.