Webster TIMES
Thursday, February 24, 1938

Local Police Commended, Capture Two Bandits
Trapped in United Optical Plant, Widely Sought Pair Arrested

Arrests of two men, claimed by police of New England to be a real important capture, was effected spectacularly Thursday night by Webster Police, headed by Patrolman Armand Tourangeau, at the United Optical Company plant on Maynard Avenue.

Leaving behind them loot which consisted of gold temples and other accessories in the manufacture of eye glasses, one man made an ineffecutal attempt to escape, and was captured outside a window, and the other was taken at gun-point cowering under a table in the plant.

The importance of the capture was quickly revealed by the seizure of one of the most complete sets of burglar tools ever seen in this part of New England, found in a car alleged to have been used by the bandits, and later when it was learned that the named given by the pair were "phoneys", their identities were revealed as Raymond Patriarca, 29, of Worcester, Providence and many other addresses, and Benjamin F. Tilley, 27, of West Roxbury.

They gave their names as John Roma if Worcester and William Ryan of Albany, N.Y., when they were booked at the Webster police station, but their real idenities became known on Friday. The arrival of State Detective Edward J. McCarthy, Detective Sergt. P. Frank Carroll and Det. Lieut. John T. Fitzgerald resulted in an immediate identification of Patriarca.

Tilley's identification came later, but the disclosure proved that the Webster police had nabbed a very much wanted man, a Boston ex-convict with a long police record.

Patriarca was also identified by the Webster police, as one of the three defendants in the armed robbery of $10,000 consigned to the First National Bank, from the steps of the Webster post office, in 1932. In this holdup he was linked with Tony Santello and Louis B. Melinkoff, all of Worcester. All were found not guilty after a lengthy hearing, witnesses failing to identify them, and alibis being provided for all three.

Both men were arraigned Friday morning at a special session of First District Court, and pleaded "not guilty" to three counts, carrying a revolver, breaking and entering, an possession of burglar tools. Judge Louis O. Rieutord, after the pair had asked for a continuance, held each in $50,000 bonds. On a charge of carrying a revolver, bonds of $20,000 were imposed, $20,000 for breaking and entering and $5,000 possession of burglar tools.

At the conclusion of the hearing, which was continued to Thursday, March 3, the two men were brought to Worcester jail, and were looked over by three men victimized in a holdup on Thursday evening in Worcester, but they failed to identify them.

A dog owned by Nicholas F. Braniff, Maynard Avenue, whose home is next to the plant of the United Optical, was the primary cause of the capture of the two bandits Thursday night, regarded by police as one of the most oustanding arrests made in many months in New England. Had the dog remained quiet, it is probable that the robbery of $4000 worth of gold from the offices of the plant might have been carried out and the police faced with a mystery that would have defied their efforts to solve.

But the dog barked, and indicated by his actions that somebody was about the vicinity other than those who had legitimate business. So convinced did Mr. Braniff become that something was wrong, that he left his home and located Officer Armand Tournageau, who patrols that district during the present month.

The result was a display of courage on the part of this officer and others that has won praise from residents thruout the towns and the capture of two much-wanted men, believed implicated in a score or more burglaries thruout Massachusetts in the past few months.

The patrolman was informed shortly after 9 o'clock by Mr. Braniff, who said he was sure an attempt was being made to break into the plant of the optical company, The officer then circled around down thru the St. Louis schoolyard and stole quietly up to the building from the rear. An inspection of the building disclosed an open window near the boiler house.

He crept up to the window, stuck his head inside and listened. He plainly heard the sound of movements over head, and knew that there were burglars in the plant. He also realized that guarding the window might give the men inside a chance to escape by some other exit, and he stole away quietly, going to the home of Mr. Braniff, instructing Mrs. Braniff to call the police headquarters and have them send help.

Back to the open window Officer Tourangeau went on guard, awaiting the reinforcements. Their arrival by automobile, on the Maynard avenue side, was followed by the shaking of the front door by the police. It was the signal for a scramble on the part of the men inside, and as they ran down the stairs, past the window, Officer Tournageau ordered them to come out, or he would shoot. With the exit cut off, the men, who were only shadows in the darkness, attempted to get out by another window, and Officer Tourangeau fired a shot that drove them away.

With the officers hammering on the front door, Officer Tourangeau returned to the open window, and as he stood a few feet away, a dark form emerged thru the opening. As he struck the ground the officer yelled "Put your hands in the air." Getting no response, he fired a shot at the man and immediately the other yelled "Don't shoot. I'll give up." With his flashlight on the man, he saw him elevate his hands above his head. The officer grabbed him, went rapidly over his clothing, and then marched him up the hill beside the plant, where he turned over to officers who had arrived in response to the telephone call.

This man, who later gave the name of Ryan and who proved to be Benjamin F. Tilley, was placed in one of the cars under guard and Tournageau returned to the open window, convinced that there was at least one other man inside. This time he was accompanied by Officer Edward Wagner and after yelling inside once more to "Come out, or we'll go in and drag you out," the officers listened for a moment and got no answer.

Officers Wagner and Tourangeau entered the building by opening a door with drawn guns and started a seach. As they were walking along thru the darkened plant, Officer Wagner turned his flashlight under a bench as saw a crouching figure. "Come out, and with your hands up," he ordered, and the man obeyed. this was the man who gave the name of "Roma," and was later indentified as Raymond Patriarca.

With both men placed in automobiles and taken to the police station, Officers Tourangeau, Wagner, Nadeau and others returned to the scene. On the ground below the window and near the chimney of the boiler room, they picked up a loaded revolver. Extending their search inside, they found another, close to the spot where Patriarca was hiding under the bench.

The story of the capture of the two bandits as given above is related by Officer Tourangeau, and the capture of one as told by this officer is disputed by sub-patrolman Healy, who delcares that he captured Tilley, as the man started running frm the window thru which he jumped from the plant.

Healy claimed that the man came on a run and was stopped abruptly when he "stuck him up" wih his revolver and ordered the man to hold up his hands. The latter did so, he says, and it was Healy who marched him up the hill, and brought him, to an automobile, turning him over to Officer Biadasz and Officer Cournoyer.

The officer says that he did not see Officer Tourangeau anywhere near the scene at that time, and declares that he has several witnesses to bear out the truth of his statement. Other officers who responded to the call the and who went to the scene from the police station, included John McCausland, Stanley Biadasz, Richard Healy, Peter Jarosz, Philip Cournoyer, with William Dick, Jr., as driver of the car.

Webster Lake Happenings

Reprinted from The Webster Times, Thursday, July 11, 1918

The summer colony at Webster Lake is assuming large proportions, and the number, while somewhat below former years, is a big one, and most of the cottages are occupied, many being rented for the entire season. Owners of the larger cottages are installed for the summer, but the closing of Point Pleasant house has cut down the number of summer people, as many do not care to rent cottages,and are better satisfied with a summer boarding place. The Yolande House is filled since the beginning of the season.

One of the features of the lake this year is supplied by Byron D. Bugbee of Putnam, who is at his cottage, Bay View, and his 90-horsepower Sterling motor boat is undisputed speed king of the lake. The fishing this season has been good, and some excellent catches have been made.

POINT BREEZE

Under the management of Michael A. Lilla, the Point Breeze pavilion and dance hall is one of the popular resorts at the lake, and the attendance at dances has been very gratifying to the management. Under Mr. Lilla's direction, the pavilion and grounds have been cleaned and renovated, and present a spick and span appearance. The Continental drum corps of Worcester will be the attraction at the pavilion Saturday night and there will be dancing. Dancing parties will be arranged for every Tuesday and Saturday night during the season, and special shore dinners will be served each Sunday. A number of outing dates have been booked also,

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Henderson of Columbus, Ohio are at the Salisbury cottage.

At "Idle Hours" Mr. and Mrs. Percy Musgrave and family of Webster are established for the season.

The pavilion is occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Lilla and Mrs. Emil Bernier.

Mr. Brodeur of Webster is entertaining a daughter and granddaughter from Quebec and daughter and grandchildren from Cleveland at his cottage.

Mrs. Alice Daly and Miss Bessie Daly of Fall River are at "Le Repos".

Mrs. Rosalie Paradis, East Main St., is at "Sur le Rigage" for the summer.

LONG ISLAND

The abundance of shade, and the isolation from the noises of the mainland, makes Long Island one of the ideal summer places of Webster lake, and the number of cottages that dot this island show that its advantages are being appreciated. the summer colony this season compromises so many "regulars" that it is practically a happy family. A generous use of electric lights at the island makes it a beauty spot by night as well as by day.

The Chancellor cottage is occupied this week by the Phi Chi Psi of Southbridge High School, with Miss Elizabeth Hastings of Webster as a guest. Mrs. George Hartwell, Jr. is chaperone, and the members of the party are Vera M. Rich, Avis M. Clemence, Louis Rowley, Frances M. Oldham, and the guests include Eva Pratt, Isabelle L. Corey, Evelyn Rich and Elizabeth Hastings.

Dr.and Mrs. Fred Miller of Woonsocket are established for the summer at their cottage, "Snuggles."

Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Sharpe and Mr. and Mrs. Midgeley of Woonsocket have opened their cottages, among the finest on the island, for the summer.

"Lakewood" is occupied by Mrs. Joseph Brown and family of Woonsocket.

At the "Columbia" the following Webster young men are located for a vacation: Edmund Chartier, Arthur Dacier, Eugene Duclos, Joseph Briers and Laurent Duclos.

Mr. and Mrs. Otto Piehler of Brooklyn, and daughter, Mrs. Richard Mauke, are at Grand View for the summer. Mr. Piehler is the acknowledged champion bass fisherman of the lake and his daily average is about six beauties.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Foster and family of Woonsocket are at their cottage for the summer.

Mr. and Mrs. Myron Freeman, Mrs. Colin Campbell and Joseph Thompson, Webster, and Miss Winifred Kelly of North Grafton, are at Camp Folly for a vacation.

Mrs. E. W. Goddard and Miss Lillian Goddard of Webster are occupying their cottage for the summer.

Mr. and Mrs. Everett Gray and children, Lucille, Edwin, and Lyman Gray, are at their cottage, where they will remain for the summer.

Mr. and Mrs. Mark Burns and son, Southbridge, Miss Kathleen Burns of Hartford and Mr. and Mrs. Carroll Allen of Danielson are at the Larchar cottage for a vacation.

POINT PLEASANT

Cottages at Point Pleasant always have a special attraction for Webster people, and many who desire to pass the summer or part of the summer at the lake, and must be within easy distance of town, find Point Pleasant the best location. The cottages are always in demand, and under the direction of "Pa" and "Ma" Bugbee, are well cared for, and the welfare of the occupants are always first in the mind of the owners. At the store, where"Ma" Bugbee holds sway, the news of the Point and that of the outside world is always on tap, and it is a general meeting place for the summer colony.

Mr. and Mrs. John Sprague occupy a portion of the Point Pleasant house, the home of Mr. and Mrs. Bugbee, this year. the decision of the owner not to care for summer boarders was a blow to many who, every year, pass a portion of the summer at this place. The major portion of the home is closed, with "Pa" and "Ma" living in the quarters in the store.

The Oneta club, composed of Webster young men who have been visitors at the lake for several seasons, are at the Oneta cottage, and their only troubles have been the damage done to Frank the Tailor's trousers, and the mystery of who cleaned the fish in the dining room.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles May are at their cottage for the season, and this week are entertaining Mrs. Gardner of Worcester, who in spite of 96 years, is remarkably active.

The Brunswick cottage is the home again this year of Andrew Towns, Frank Stanick and Otto Mauke, with "Ziggie" as guest of honor. Under Mr. Town's direction, the cottage is being papered with cigaret box covers, to give a bizare effect to the interior.

The "Sunset" was the home for a week of the "Hungry Four", William A. Hefferman, John T. Dunnigan, Arthur Beaudry and Arthur J. McDermott, all of Providence. Two of the party fell inlove with the same Webster girl and didn't eat anyway, but the other two were hungry all week,

Mr. and Mrs. Laurence J.Daly and daughter Elizabeth are at the "Zephyr" for season. Fish for the entire Point is supplied by the man of the house, who is considerable of a fisherman. He is learning to bait hooks and remove the captured fish.

Mr. and Mrs .Charles Miller at their cottage "Vendome," entertained Mr. Miller's brother, Fred C. Miller and son Cecil of Newport, Maine, over the fourth of July, also Mr. and Mrs. Henry Cragen and family of Webster.

Mr. and Mrs. Walter Wesson and children, Jessie and Walter, of Southbridge, are at Pleasant View for another season. Mr. Wesson has recently purchased a power launch. Walter, Jr. is still undisputed champion of rowers and skullers at the lake.

Mr. and Mrs. Bazil Brigandi and Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Drew of Webster have vacated the Windsor after a week's outing.

Mr. and Mrs, George Botham are at their cottage and will remain for the season.

The "Eight Pals" at the Ko-ko-ko-ho cottage are located for the season. Boiled dinners and a victrola furnish most of the excitement for the club.

Mr. and Mrs. Morton Crane of Worcester are at one of the cottages for the summer.

At the bungalows, Mr. and Mrs. James S. Thompson, Dudley, are located for a month in one, and Mr. and Mrs. Elliott Barter are at another of the bungalows.

A tented city at this location is under command of Gen. Perle Warner of Putnam and company.

JUMBO CAMP

The colony of Jumbo Camp has increased this year,and the number of tents at this location shows the popularity of the camp among those who like the simple life. The camp is the only house in the vicinity, but there are a number of tent dwellers who find lots of enjoyment by the shores of the lake.

WAWELA PARK

The summer season at Wawela brings most of the regulars back to this quiet and pretty location at the lake. Transient campers are always few at this place, where owners of cottages remain season after season, and never weary of the beauties of the spot.

YOLANDE HOUSE

This popular summer place has a special invitation to those who do not care to rent cottages, and prefer the pleasures of a summer hotel, with all the comforts and none of the disadvantages of the big summer places. Coziness, home like surroundings and home cooking, the kind that has made the Yolande House famous, are some of the reasons why this place is always filled to capacity.

Those who are at the Yolande House this week are: Gladys Barber and Miss Edith Mundy, Worcester; Mr. and Mrs. Kieley and son and Miss Anna Kieley, Malden; Mrs. Maguire, Malden; Misses Damlys, New York; Mrs. Gale and Miss Lora Gale, Webster; Sheila and Anna Mooney, Worcester; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph H. Hanson, Providence; Mr. and Mrs. Parker, Hartford; Mrs. John O'Connell and Miss Alice O'Connell, Providence.

BATES' GROVE

Bates' Grove, at the southern end of Webster Lake, is again the home of many summer visitors, and the cottages contain many regulars, with some new comers. The splendid pavilion offers a fine place for picnics and outings, and the consideration always shown those who come for only a day, makes the grove one of the spots that are remembered.

SOUTH SHORE

The South Shore, perhaps one of the latest to be used as a summer camp, contains some fine cottages. Mrs. and Mrs. Joseph P. Love and family at their cottage, and Mr. and Mrs. William J. Love and family at theirs, form a location that has been appropriately named "Loveland".

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Guenther and daughter are at their cottage for the season.

At the various islands the cottages are filled by their owners. Mrs. Gifford and family, at their new cottage on Well Island, have one of the finest on the lake, and have surrounded themselves with everything to make the summer months enjoyable.

BEACON PARK

The park is always a popular resting place for the transient visitor, and is the most easily reached from the town, and with the fine buildings and excellent view of the lake, attracts many visitors every day. The soda fountain and candy, cigars and ice cream and the souvenirs are favorites, while the big launches that start out from the Beacon Park wharf take out hundreds of people every year on a trip around the lake. Dancing at the pavilion every Wednesday and Saturday nights bring the dancing public to the fine dance hall. The Rustic theater will be used Wednesday night July 17, for the Public Safety Committee benefit by the Auburn Dramatic Club. It is probable that other entertainments will be conducted at the theater during the season.

The boat and canoe livery are also an important feature of Beacon Park.

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