John Lazar: Arrested For Investigation of Murders

John Lazar was born about 1913 in Painesdale, MI to Frank Lazar & Ivka "Eva" Vancina.


Arrested 28 June 1937
Crime Charged: Investigation


John married Arlene Suess (1922-2010) and they had a son named Glen Frank Lazar (1946-2017).

He was a machinist.

These mens life's were almost forever changed. Could you imagine being arrested because your automobile was similar to one the police was looking for because a man murdered 3 girls. This was a very close call. I would bet they were scared. Back then they didn't have a central computer system to put everything into, all they had was a wire service and telephone and the mail.

The Sheriff's office would keep a book of all the thefts, criminals, crimes, and wanted posters.

The officers in this case did a great job identifying the car.


His friend that was with him didn't have a mugshot or record, but I did find this from a city directory. The newspaper spelled his name wrong, not an uncommon thing.

NAME: Casimir Piatkiewicz
RESIDENCE YEAR: 1932
STREET ADDRESS: 1457 S 69th

RESIDENCE PLACE:West Allis, Wisconsin, USA

He died in 1988 in Oak Creek, WI.

John died 24 May 1960 in West Allis, WI.

I wonder if he ever told his friends and family about this experience. 


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