Agency: FBI
Originator: FBI
From: CV
To: HQ
Document date: 12/2/58
Document type: PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

## Page 1

JFK Assassination System

Identification Form

Agency Information

Date:

6/2/2015

AGENCY: FBI

RECORD NUMBER :

124-90100-10032

RECORD SERIES:

HQ

AGENCY FILE NUMBER:

52-72398-73

Released under the John

C. kennedy

ussassination Records

Collection Act of 1992

144 USC 2107 Notel.

Case#:NW 54027 Date:

08-25-2017

Document Information

ORIGINATOR: FBI

FROM:

cv

TO :

HQ

TITLE:

DATE: 12/02/1958

PAGES:

3

SUBJECTS :

JOSEPH RAYMOND MEROLA

THEFT OF 318 WEAPONS, 16 BLANKETS, ONE CARBINE

RANK, OHIO NA

DOCUMENT TYPE :

PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

CLASSIFICATION: Unclassified

RESTRICTIONS: 4

CURRENT STATUS :

Redact

DATE OF LAST REVIEW :

07/29/1998

OPENING CRITERIA: INDEFINITE

COMMENTS :

AT

v9.1

HH 54027

DocId: 32331814

Page 1

3

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## Page 2

FD-36 (Re:': 12-13-56)

Transmit the following in

Via

AIRTEL

FBI

Date: 12-2-58

PLAIN TEXT

(Type in plain text or code).

AIRMAIL

(Priority or Method of Mailing)

TO: DIRECTOR, FBI

FROM: SAC, CLEVELAND (52-1918)

UNSUBS; Theft of 317 Weapons,

16 Blankers, 1 Carbine Rack

from Ohio National Guard Armory,

canton

Ohio, on 10-14-58;

STUARTOSUTOF

TGP, ITSP, FFA, NEUTRALITY MATTERS

' Re NY airtel to Bureau, 1170-58.

ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED

HEREIN IS UNCLASSIMIED

DATE 51/19 BYSPO TAPCH

Capt. FRANK BURNOSKY, Chief of Detectives,, Canton, O. PD

advised on 11-24-58,

that the individual who would most

closely fit the description of "a well known safe cracker .

in Canton who specializes in burglarizing safes in private

homes" would be GEORGE MIKE FLOREA, FBI #2888609.

Associates

Of FLOREA are GEORGE VICTOR

ZUGRAVE, FBI #2878523, and

SAMUEL JOSEPH MESSARIS, FBI H840808, known burglars in the

Canton area.

BURNOSKY stated an informant of his dept. stated that FLOREA

was involved in instant theft and that FLOREA's Cadillac

a Chrysler were used in the burglary in addition to a

rented truck.

Reairtel advised that LOUIS MARTINEZ had made a telephone

call from the Manhattan Hotel, NY' on 9-19-58, to Canton

GL 4-0532 which is listed to

the Varsity Restaurant, Canton,

a hangout for FLOREA and local hoodlums.

PCI, JOHN APOSTOLOS advised SA JAMES E. GILLEY on 11-17-58,

that he had seen GEORGE FLOREA and LOUIS MARTINEZ together

several times in Canton during

DRAVI PLOREA SAN LOUIS

the

past few months or so, he

could not regall the exact dates.

He never heard either of them

- Bureau

- New York

• 10 2. - Pittsburgh

1 - Philadelphia

52-5814)

(enci. 14)

(info)

EG 2277,

52-72398-7

T. - Cleveland

DEG

HEW: mr

Appro Ped:

Sent

M-

Special Agent in Charge

NW 54027 DooId:32331814 Page 2

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## Page 3

FD-36 (Rev. 12-13-56)

Transmit the following in

Via

FBI

Date:

(Type in plain text or code)

(Priority or Method of Mailing)

CV 52-1918

discuss the theft of weapons at the ONG Armory at Canton.

PCI could not recall MARTINEZ calling the Varsity Restaurant

in 9-58, from NY, however, a couple days before MARTINEZ

was arrested in NY for kidnapping, MARTINEZ telephoned

the Varsity Restaurant and asked to talk to ALEX KARRAS,

the bartender, who takes messages for FLOREA and MESSARIS

when they are not there.

KARRAS is a loyal member of the

gang and cannot be trusted according to PCI.

KARRAS

later mentioned that MARTINEZ wanted money when he

called and it was his opinion that the money was requested

of FLOREA.

PCI stated that FLOREA has not been around

for several weeks and was working with PHIL MAINER at Calumet

City, Ill. FLOREA gave a telephone number of TO 2-9628 where

he could be rached, which isprobably the "Riptide" bar in

that city. MAINER is from the Youngstown, 0. area, and a

known hoodlum.

FLOREA is a suspect in the case entitled,

UNSUBS (3), JOHN NICHOLAS NUZZO, Jr., wa., Don Myers -

FUG; Theft of 22,313 Shares Class A. Common Stock, American

Capt. FRANK BURNOSKY, Canton PD advised on

11-28-58, that his previously mentioned informant (believed

to be identical with PCI JOHN APOSTOLOS) stated that some time

ago LOUIS MARTINEZ talked to ALEX KARRAS, a bartender at the

varsity Restaurant, Canton, and that KARRAS then put MARTINEZ

In touch with GEORGE FLOREA. Shortly thereafter FLOREA was

seen with VINCENT INNOCENZI, CV, PD # 71173, and RICHARD ALEX

STEWART, CV PD # 89173, CV hoodlums and one JOE BAGGY.

four left the restaurant and entered a Chrysler year and

license registration unknown which was supposed to have been

borrowed.

→2-

Approved:

_ Sent

_M

Per

Special Agent in Charge

NW 54027 DooId:32331814 Page 3

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## Page 4

FD-36 (Rev. 12-13-56)

Transmit the following in

Via

FBI

Date:

(Type in plain text or code)

(Priority or Method of Mailing)

CV 52-1918

MAINER reported to have connections around.

New Kensington, Pa. according to PCI MARIO GUERRIERI.

Enclosed for PG are photos of FLOEA, ZUGRAVE,

MESSARIS and MAINER.

• PG is requested to ascertain what connections

MAINER' has in the New Kensignton area and his

Involvement in instant theft. Inestigation at of continuing

re FLEA.

MURPHY.

Approved:

- 3-

Sent

_M . Per

Special Agent in Charge

NW 54027 DooId:32331814 Page 4

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