By Marie Mulvenna

Within one week’s time, bold bandits twice hit the headquarters office of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, netting a total of approximately $720 of hard-earned society receipts.

On Monday morning, October 22, Joe Flanagan, executive secretary of the society, entered the building at 8:20 a.m. carrying with him the receipts of weekend sales at the group’s store operations. He planned to make up the bank deposit slip and forward the money to the bank.

As Flanagan entered the building he was grabbed by two unidentified men, a coat thrown over his head and a gun put to his head with the command “don’t yell.”

Flanagan was then shoved into his office, blindfolded and gagged, told to lie on the floor, where he was then bound with men’s neckties. He reported he could hear two men’s voices and then heard them leave his building.

Flanagan said his initial reaction was shock and fear and he now adds with a laugh “that’s the first time in my life I was so obedient.” After the bandits had made their exit, Flanagan said he was able to wriggle out of his bonds and called the police.

Entry was apparently made through a window of the warehouse adjoining the society offices.

Five days later, on Saturday, two men walked into the warehouse store area, known as the Little Blue Shop, and help up Miss Beth Chopin, director of the warehouse. The bandits, who walked right into the main section of the warehouse, fled through a side door with approximately $200 in cash. Miss Chopin reported they did not wear masks.

The police department is working on the case.