TOOK HER SICILIAN WAY
Girl Now Ready to Wed Man Who Abducted Her in an Auto
Antonio Malito of 1601 East New York Avenue, Brooklyn, the young Sicilian who, when repulsed by Miss Antonina Dana of 31 Powell Street, kidnapped her on Monday morning as she was on her way to work, and, with other men, carried her in an automobile to a lonely house in the woods at Rockville Centre, where detectives captured him, made the plea when arraigned yesterday in the New Jersey Avenue Court that in carrying off his sweetheart he had followed simply the traditions of his Sicilian fathers.
"I loved her," he said. "She loved me too, but her relatives turned her against me because of the difference in our ages. She is 18 and I am 29 years old. She said she would have nothing more to do with me. I am mad for her. I do not know the laws of your country. I am a Sicilian. I do not care. I must have my sweetheart. Now I am satisfied. She is mine."
Malito turned to the girl, who sat near by with her sister and her brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Costragino.
"Is it true what I say?" he asked her.
Blushing, with downcast eyes, the girl made a sign in the affirmative.
The court said that such methods were out of date and would not be countenanced in this country. The girl announced her willingness to become the bride of her abductor, saying that she thought it was the only thing for her to do, but the Magistrate sent Malito to jail in default of $10,000 bail pending another examinationn next Monday and held Michael Porto and Philip Rose, who operated the taxi cab used for the kidnapping, in bonds of $100 each.
