“One of the most efficient
captures that the local detectives have ever accomplished was effected this
morning, and the men deserve the very highest praise for so cleverly laying
their plans that resulted in frustrating a most daring hold up by three alleged
agents of the Black Hand Society, Ernest Speraniza, 347 Macnab street north,
Carmelo Columbo, 396 Sherman avenue north, and Samuel Wolfe, Niagara Falls. All
three are Italians, and are now in custody.
“Some days ago, Salvatore
Sanzone, 142 James street north, received a letter with a Buffalo, N.Y.,
postmark, from the Black Hand Society, informing him that he was one of the
well-to-do Italians picked out in this city to pay over a considerable sum of
money. The letter demanded &1,000. The place of payment was to be the
Dundas road, and the time was any morning in the near future that he should be
held up when driving to Dundas in the early morning with his load of fruit,
which he takes out there two or three times a week.
“The letter further stated
that if he failed to pay the money when stopped he and his family would be
killed.
“Mr. Sanzone naturally was
terrified, and yesterday afternoon informed Detective Sayers of the contents of
the letter. The local sleuths outlined a plan of campaign of which they
informed Mr. Sanzone, and he agreed to follow their instructions.
“This morning early his
fruit wagon was loaded up, but differently to what he generally does it, as
this time he stacked the bananas upright, but underneath there were some human
fruit in the persons of Detective Sayers, Coulter and Bleakley, all with loaded
revolvers.
“All went well till the
Half-way House was reached, between 5 and 6 o’clock. The sleuths were feeling
cramped and were longing to stretch their legs in the open, but decided to
endure the discomforts in the hope of making a capture. And it was a good thing
they did, for just past the Half-way House the hold up occurred.
“Three men rushed out on the
road and, under cover of their revolvers, Mr. Sanzone was ordered to dismount
and hand over the $1,000. After much protest, he gave a roll into the hands of
Speranza, which was fake money except the two genuine ten dollar bills, which
were wrapped around the outside. Appearing to be angry while talking with the brigands,
Sanzone caught hold of the corner of the tarpaulin and threw it tone side, and
gave the pre-arranged signal that meant he had paid the money over.
“Then out from the wagon
sprang the detectives, and a hot chase followed. Detective Sayers caught one;
quickly handed him over to Detective Coulter, and took off after another. He
caught him, and also handed him to Coulter, who at once put handcuffs on them
both and held them. The captures were not affected without a tussle, and
several shots were fired, as the blackmailers were heavily armed.
“In the meantime, Detective
Bleakley was in hot chase after Speranza, and fired some shots at him to let
him know the detectives were armed.
“Fortunately, there was an
electric car on the way to Hamilton from Dundas, which the detective signaled to
stop, and hurriedly explained the situation to the motorman, and gave orders
for him to put on full speed, Speranza having taken the line of the railway in
his flight. The passengers, mostly workmen, were thrown into a state of great
excitement. Speranza was a swift runner, but the car traveling along at 25
miles an hour gave him no chance, and when near him, Bleakley got off and
covered him with his revolver, and he was soon arrested.
“The three prisoners were
bundled into a rig and driven to No. 3 Police Station. They were arraigned this
morning in police court and were not asked to plead and were remanded till
tomorrow.
“Too much credit cannot be
given to Detective Sayers for his smartness, and also to all the detectives who
helped to effect such an important capture.”
Carmelo Columbo
