Double-Crossed: The Scarnici Affair
It had all the markings of a stereotypical Hollywood gangster-themed motion picture. But instead of featuring a character based on Chicago's own Scarface, it involved Springfield's real-life Scarnicis, and it was no movie. This wild episode of hi-jacking and robbery with double-crossing, bootlegging, and gunplay unfolded in Feeding Hills and Southwick on December 16-17, 1924.
Cast
Louis Scarnici
Leonard Scarnici
Pellegrino Bonavito
Alfred E. Brown
Joseph Dubian
Francis Bills
Daniel Coffey
and starring
Timothy J. Malone as the Deputy Sheriff
After making a deal for 35 gallons of alcohol, a group of men headed from Springfield via Feeding Hills and Southwick to Westfield in a three-automobile convoy.
The Scarnicis, a father and son team, drove a large Buick touring car containing the illegal spirits; Francis Bills of Southwick and Joseph Dubian of Westfield accompanied them. Following them was Daniel Coffey of Westfield, who drove his auto alone. Behind the wheel in the third car was Pellegrino Bonavito of Springfield with passenger Alfred Brown of Westfield; the latter owned the vehicle.
Fists flew during the violent assault, and gunfire erupted. Three .38 caliber bullets struck the Buick; one went through the elder Scarnici's left leg, but he and his son managed to escape on foot and hide in some woods but not before giving Bills a blackeye and knocking out two of his teeth. (Dubian received cuts and bruises.)
Meanwhile, Coffey had stopped his machine in Feeding Hills, forcing Bonovito to halt Brown's car. Brown and Coffey attacked Bonovito, cutting his head open and stealing the little bit of money he had on him. Frightened by the severity of the situation, Coffey fled in his car to the Massachusetts State Police barracks in Agawam, where, attempting to save his skin, he reported a holdup.
Two police officers accompanied Coffey in his car, and the three drove back to the crime scene. Along the way, they ran into Francis Bills and Joseph Dubian, who repeated the same holdup story that Coffey did. But unbeknownst to the officers, Bills and Dubian were driving the bloodsoaked Buick belonging to the badly beaten Scarnicis, who had made their way through the woods to Lucus Bozak's house, where they sought refuge. (Mrs. Bozak called Deputy Sheriff Malone.)
After some questioning, the officers released the men, thinking they were victims.
Shortly after that, the Agawam Poice Department received a call alerting headquarters that two men were unloading liquor from a car and hiding it in the bushes.
The responding officers caught Bills and Dubian and arrested them.
The various police departments and authorities involved finally realized that the individuals were all connected.
After the police arrested the quartet and the three victims, they changed their stories. (Coffey was the last of those involved rounded up by police. Massachusetts State Police arrested him after calling him in for further questioning.)
Police charged Coffey, Bills, Dubain, and Brown with assault and robbery. (Bills, roughly 22 years old, was arraigned first and jailed on a previously suspended sentence, with the new charges imposed after he served his first sentence. Doing so created the time needed for the Springfield and local Westfield courts to sort out jurisdiction issues and secure further evidence to build a stronger case against Bills.)
Coffey and Brown maintained their innocence and said their job was transporting liquor, not participating in a violent assault.
Police decided not to arrest the victims. Bonovito had nothing to worry about as he was not transporting alcohol, unlike the father and son team, who faced potential arrest from Prohibition agents.
 |
| A Rolls-Royce of America gear oil can converted into a still. (Rolls-Royce built its legendary Silver Ghost in Springfield, Mass., The Springfield plant operated from 1921 until the Great Depression forced its closure in 1931. The first Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost rolled off the assembly line in Springfield on January 17, 1921. The Springfield plant also built the Rolls-Royce Springfield Phantom starting in 1925. At the time the Rolls manufactured in Springfield were most expensive cars made in America with price tags ranging from $12,930 to $15,880.) |
Edited Out/Author's Additional Research Notes
The Scarnicis may have sold the liquor to Coffey for $5 per gallon, but in court, the defendants said the Bonovito owned the alcohol, and the men hired the Scarnicis to transport it.
Police initially dropped the less important liquor charge against the four men.
With authorities from Southwick, Westfield, and Agawam involved, plus the Massachusetts State Police, jurisdiction issues arose.
There are conflicting dates - some reports say the holdup was the 16-17, while others say 17-18. However, 16-17 is correct.
Daniel Coffey resided at 107 Montgomery Road in Westfield. Alfred Brown lived at 62 Highland Street, Westfield.
Lucas Bozak lived on a farm in Southwick.
The first 25 Rolls-Royces assembled in Springfield were made of 100% imported parts.