Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on January 9, 1931.
IF YOU SEE JOE TELL HIM ABOUT THIS
Sheriff Burney Maxwell Seeks Locate Former Operator of Notorious Resort on Old Count.
Where is Joe Manuro, alias Joseph Locrasto, once reputed Gary underworld vice lord, and former operator of the notorious Roamer Inn, on Dunes Highway?
Sheriff Burney Maxwell would like to learn Locrasto’s present whereabouts, so he can apprise him that he must serve thirty days in Porter county jail for violating a restraining order issued back in 1925 by Judge H.H. Loring, of Porter circuit court.
The supreme court recently acted on Locasto’s appeal and affirmed the decision of the local court that Locrasto must serve thirty days in jail and pay a $100 fine and costs.
But Joe’s absence from his old familiar haunts is holding up the carrying out of the punishment.
Sheriff Maxwell visited Gary and other places where Joe usually is found, but could not locate him. Gary police reported they had not seen Joe in several fortnights.
The last time the sheriffs glimpsed Joe was several months ago and he jokingly asked when he was going to serve that old sentence.
“That has all been fixed up,” Locrasto told the sheriff.
Last summer, federal agents were investigating Joe with the purpose of deporting him. The move has never crystallized into real action as yet.
Locrasto was arrested on numerous occasions by Porter county officials while in charge of the famous Roamer Inn. Once a padlock was placed on the resort, but the Mid-City bank, of Gary, which had a mortgage on the place, obtained an order dissolving it.
It is believed Locrasto thought this action also knocked out his conviction for violating the injunction, but this was slapped on before the order was vacated.
The question now is: “Where is Locrasto?” Sheriff Maxwell is anxious to know.
