Evening star., 1958-07-07
Trooper Slain
Al StakeOuf
For Bandit
Maryland d Police
Tipped on I1oIdup;
Gunmun Held

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had sought to trap in q Charles
County tavern.
After hours Of questioning
several persons. investigators
said they were convinced they
were dealing with a ''plot" in
stead Of a simple robbery case.
Police charged the suspect
with homicide and were ques-
tioning others in a case with
puzzling ramifications.
Lieut.. Leonard N. Brown, 46,
q commander of the Waldorf
Barracks, died at 1882 am.
at Sibley Hospital here Of an
abdominal wound. Physicians
had performed q three-hour
operation in an effort to save
him.
Charged with homicide was
Albert George Carbonneau, 81,
OF Bryans Road, Md. Police ac-
cused Carbonneau of firing the
fatal bullet after he was sur
prised in the darkened Smitty's
Steak House in Bryans Road,
on route 210 just over the
Prince Georges County line.
Tavern Owner Questioned
Earlier police questioned and
released Banks Smith, IS. own
er Of the tavern. who tele-
phoned State police at $50
o'clock last night and told 1t.
Brown he had a tip his place
was going to be held up.
Detective Sergt. G. Earl New
comber said Mr.. Smith had
been told not to leave the area,
but to be near for possible fur
ther questioning. Sergt. New
comber said there were indica-
tions that Carbonneau had
been romantically involved with
Mr.. Smiths former wife.
In all, eight persons have
been questioned at the Waldorf
barracks by police who were
slow about giving out informa-
ton to reporters.
Among those being questioned
was Mrs. Smith, former wife of
the tavern owner.
Another man, whom police
would not confirm was a pri-
yate detective. as was reported,
also was being held for investi-
cation. Police would not reveal
his name. Sergt. Newcomber
said he was sitting with Mr..
Smith in the latter's car OUT
side the tavern at the time the
fatal shot was fired.
Separated From Wife
Carbonneau was described by
Seargt. Newcomber as being
separated from his wife, who
lives in Indian Head and is
employed at the MelroSe Phar-
macy there.
Sergt. Newcomber and other
police gave this account of the
shooting and events leading In
to it:
About $50 PM, Mr.. Smith
talked to 1t. Brown about a
tip that he was to be held up.
1t. Brown and a squad of
troopers arrived before IL pm.
and laid plans to surprise the
bandit. Four men remained in
the building with the lieuten-
ant, after Mr.. Smith locked up
and left about midnight.
Other policemen fingered on
the outside of the tavern.
1t. Brown hid in a cloak
room. About 12:45 am.
a key was slipped into the
dining room door on the side
of the building. Police had
believed the robbery attempt
would would be made from
the front.
Grappled With Intruder
In the account of the shoot
ing. it appeared that 1t. Brown
had grapped with the intruder
Then a shot was fired. 1t.
Brown got of a shot as he fell
to the floor. His assailant
stumbled and half fell into a
telephone booth.
In an instant Trooper Robert
Weisenmiller had a gun in the
mans ribs and forcer him to
surrender. He gave up a .25
caliber Browning automatic.
Meanwhile. police outside de-
tanned Mr.. Smith and the un-
identified man with him. Mr.
Smith was questioned extern
sively. telephoned his attorney
and after his release had a
norning conference with the
lawyer.
LII. Brown was married and
the father of three. He has
commanded the Waldorf Bar
racks since April, 1853. after
joining the State orce in Octo-
Der, 1899. He lived at Perry
vile, his birth place.