Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on January 14, 1931.
WAR VET BATTLES GUNMAN-BANDIT
RISKS BULLET TO GET CHANCE ‘RETURN’ FIRE
Albert A’Neals, Attendant at West Lincolnway Gas Station is Hero of Early Evening Attack.
REFUSED TO GET IN BANDIT’S CAR
Three filling station bandits who attempted a holdup of the Square Deal filling station on West Lincolnway, next to the Mark Palmer auto sales agency, Tuesday night at 8:40 o’clock, failed to reckon with Albert A’Neals, Spanish-American, Mexican border, and World War veteran.
When called upon to get in a car “for a ride,” A’Neals told the bandit “to go to”... and made a dash for a 48-caliber Colt pistol under a table inside the station.
A bullet from the bandit’s gun whizzed by A’Neals as he scrambled into the doorway. It bored a hole in the side of the station. Because of a disability in one of his legs due to World War wounds, A’Neals felt as he endeavored to get into the building. It is believed the robber thought he had winged him and had better escape.
After securing his gun, A’Neals dashed out of the doorway, his line of fire was directly in the path of the Louis Gast home. Reaching the sidewalk he pumped three shots at the fleeing automobile. As he did so he noticed the men in the car bend over to avoid being hit.
According to A’Neals, the men drove up to the station and he became suspicious when the driver edged close to the building and then pointed his car out for a quick getaway.
All three remained in the car until he had finished putting six gallons of gasoline in the car, and then one of them stepped out. A’Neals held the hose nozzle as long as he could to see if the trio attempted anything.
He had no sooner dropped it then the man who had gotten out placed a gun to his side and told him to get into the car. It was then that A’Neals delivered his ultimatum, and the shooting followed. The police theory is that the bandit trio wanted to take A’Neals, relieve him of his money, and then let him go.
Tracy Eglin, merchant policeman, was among the first to reach the scene. Night Policemen Gregg Stansell and William Clark also responded.
A’Neals did not obtain the number of the machine which was a maroon colored Pontiac coupe. Mrs. W.K. Stoler, living in the Eldorado apartments, across from the filling station, came out and endeavored to obtain the license number of the robber car, but was unable to do so.
Police followed the car westward to Campbell street and then to Chicago street. Gary police were notified and were here within a short time after the robbery.
It is believed from gasoline leaking from the car that the robbers doubled back on Jefferson and went east. The leaky tank was either ascribed to the fact that A’Neals did not replace the cap on the tank after filling it, or else one of his bullets pierced the container allowing some of the gasoline to escape.
Two little daughters of Carl Erea are said to have been witnesses to the holdup. They were on their way to the Pennsylvania depot to meet their father.