The Crittenden Automotive Library

SAY BALLET DANCER HAD TWO STOLEN CARS

Publication: The New York Times
Date: 8 December 1921

Vera Swift and Her Chauffeur Brought Here From Indiana to Answer Charge.

On charges of criminally receiving a stolen automobile, Vera Swift, 23 years old, who said she was a ballet dancer formerly with a Winter Garden company, and her chauffeur, Robert A. Pazzuti of 26 Mott Street, were held for trial in bond of $1,000 each yesterday, by Judge Koenig, in General Sessions. The defendants were brought here from Evansville, Ind., by Detective Dowd of the automobile squad, and Mrs. Mary A. Sullivan, a policewoman, who removed the prisoners by extradition proceedings.

An anonymous letter received by the Automobile Squad several weeks ago, throught to have been written by a man who had some purpose in revenging himself on the young woman, led to the two arrests. The writer told the police that cars stolen in New York had been taken to Evansville and put in the garage connected with Miss Swift's luxurious home there.

Dowd said he found two cars, both owned in this city, in Miss Swift's garage. One of the cars was stolen on Nov. 5 from Paul Gallo, a manufacturer, at 367 Broome Street, valued at $2,000. The charges against the defendants were based on possession of this machine. The other car, the police say, was stolen from Dr. Remy Salter-Marno of 1,946 Sixty-sixth Street, Brooklyn.

Pleas of not guilty were entered by the defendants. Miss Swift said she had bought both cars from Peter Garletti of 55 West Seventy-third Street. She submitted bills of sale bearing his name, with a description of the cars, which she said had been given to her when she purchased them. Garletti hasn't been found, and the police say they haven't found any one in the neighborhood of his reported address who knows him.