Slot Machine Players Wounded in Robbery Attempt

Slot Machine Players Wounded in Robbery Attempt

 


From the Kentucky Post, December 20, 1929 page 1


Attempted robbery charges against Robert Craig, 24 of 209 W Second-st. Newport, and Joseph Henderson, 25 of 815 Saratoga-st. Newport, arrested Thursday night after the accused, with tow other accused, are alleged to have attempted to steal tow slot machines from a restaurant operated by John Pierce, Negro, of Fourth-st. and Central-av. Newport, were continued Friday in Newport Police Court until Tuesday.

Craig was short in the shoulder and left arm by Pierce and Robert Greenwood, Negro of Sycamore-st. Cincinnati, a patron in the restaurant at the time of the attempted theft of the slot machines, was struck in the leg by one of the five bullets fired by Pierce.

Shoots Players

Pierce told police Craig and Henderson with two other men entered his restaurant and ordered sandwiches and then told him they were gong to take his two slot machines. He said Craig reached into his pocket and believing he was going to draw a gun, Pierce said he obtained his revolver and fired five shots.  The four alleged slot machine hijackers fled and police found Craig in the hospital and questioned him.  He said he was near his home when an auto, with drawn curtains passed him and four shots were fired from the auto.  He said he went to his home and summoned a taxicab and was removed to the hospital.

Returning to headquarters police learned of the attempted theft of the slot machines from Pierce's restaurant.  While en route to the restaurant, they found Greenwood and the latter also told of being wounded in the restaurant.

Both Identified

After Pierce told of the attempted robbery he was taken by police to the hospital where he, police said identified Craig and Henderson.  The latter was in the room at the hospital with Craig.  Craig was later questioned by John Phistner and William P Holand, detectives and admitted he with Henderson and two others, went to Pierce's restaurant.  He said Henderson played the slot machines and lost and that Henderson made the remark "Let's take these machines"  It was then that Pierce fired on them, Craig told police.

Pierce was also arrested on a slot machine charge and his case was set for Tuesday.  Charles Webster, restaurant owner of River-rd, Silver Grove, who was shot in the back by two bandits early Tuesday following a holdup in the restaurant was unable to identify Craig and Henderson, police said.  Webster was reported Friday to be in a serious condition.


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