FogHornFiles
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TL/DR:
*Possible Zodiac connection
Taxi Safety and Homicide Prevention (taxi-library.org)
(Bottom of this Link talks about SF historical Taxi crime Statistics)
The Midnight Rider
Ernest A Pinataro was a driver for the Blue Bird cab company in San Francisco, California. A major hub during the second World War, San Francisco's population had ballooned to 700,000 by 1947. On Saturday November 22nd 1947 Pinataro would pick up who would inadvertently be his last fare. Two SFPD radio car patrolmen found his cab early Sunday morning at around 7am. It was parked on New Combe St, between Quint and Rankin near the Marine Corps Islais Creek Depot. As the officers approached they found Pintato in a kneeling position slumped beside the meter surrounded by blood stains. He had been shot once in the back of the head. A Marine Corps guard making his rounds reported to authorities that the cab had not been at its location at 11 pm. However a different guard assigned to the same area reported its appearance at around midnight and noted it did not move until approached by authorities the following morning. Police had been drawn to the location on New Combe street as it had been a popular dumping ground for stolen automobiles in the past. Both of Pinataro’s wallets had been emptied, however $27 dollars the assailant overlooked was later found in his shirt pocket. The meter indicated a $12 fare, however it is unknown how much was stolen from Pinataro. Early reports indicate that he was shot by a .25 caliber bullet. However it is later stated that it was most likely a .38 caliber. Ernest A Pinataro had been a cab driver for about a year. A doctor had recommended he retire from his job as a ship builder due to the strain it was putting on his health. He left behind a wife and two young daughters. He was 39 years old. No serious suspects were ever questioned.
John K Dearth was a driver for the DeSoto cab company in San Francisco, California. Just after 12:20 am on Sunday May 30th 1947, Dearth phoned De Soto dispatch from a call box at Haight and Stanyan. He was directed to 730 Clayton street to pick up a Miss Kay Spanos. Miss Spanos arrived at her home at 1345 Hayes street at around 12:45 am. Dearth’s shift was slated to end at 1am. Investigators believe Dearth was headed back downtown in order to clock out when he picked up his final passenger. At 6:15 am Dearth’s body was found on Capp St parked between 24th and 25th. He had been shot once in the back of the head by a .38 caliber bullet. Time of death was determined to be around 1 am. His pockets were empty and had been turned inside out. Police determined the assailant made away with $10 in fare receipts and a small personnel sum carried by Dearth. The Police theorized that Dearth was directed to Capp St before being shot as he pulled up to the curb. Investigators noted similarities between the Pinatario and Dearth homicides. Both men had been robbed, both shot in the back of the head, both bodies were found abandoned in a cab on weekends, both had happened near Midnight, and both were found on secluded streets. John K Dearth had been a Captain in the United States Air Corps Supply division and had served in the Pacific during World War Two. He was 38.
Robert E Bessey was a cab driver in Sacramento, California. The state's capital had risen to around 120,000 by 1947, and was located about an hour and a half drive Northeast of San Francisco. On Saturday June 12th 1947, Bessey left the cab company's dispatching stand at Fourth and K streets around 11:15 am. He was never heard from again. Bessey's body was discovered at 5:30 am on eighteenth street between E and F. The victim was found lying in the front seat of his cab with a bullet wound to his right temple. Police released that he was killed by a .38 caliber bullet. A check of the meter in Bessey's cab showed 55 cents “owing”, indicating the fare had been picked up within a one mile radius. The meter also showed that two hauls had been recorded before the last written statement in his log at 11:30 pm. Each of these trips had been short 25 cent trips. $5.65 was found in Bessey's pocket. However, a wallet and a cheap watch he had been wearing that night were missing. His driver's cap was located on the floor of the back seat of the cab. Powder burns on the victims face and cap point to Bessey having been killed at extremely close range. The location the cab was discovered was described as a quiet area shaded by palm trees next to Durant School. Police ran ballistics tests on the bullet and found it may have been fired from the same weapon that killed Dearth. Robert E Bessey was 25.
Gerald D Schroyer was a driver for the Lo-Fare cab company in Oakland, California. On June 16th 1948 Schroyer would check in with Lo-Fare dispatch at 1:30 am from Twelfth and Franklin Streets. Sometime after this last call, Schroyer would pick up his last fare. At 6:55 am opposite of 719 28th Street, Schroyer's lifeless body would be found slumped over the steering wheel. He had been shot once in the back of the head. Investigators determined his time of death was between 1:30 and 2:30 am. Schroyers wallet which he kept in his rear pocket was gone. However $18 was found in Schroyers shirt pocket. 60 cents was displayed on the Taxis fare meter. This was determined to be about how much it would cost for a ride from the phone box Schroyer used to check in at 1:30 to where his cab and body were found at 6:55am. The location where his cab was discovered was described by police as quiet and shady. Ballistics testing matched the bullet to a .38 caliber. Schroyer was 31.
San Francisco, Oakland, and Sacramento police linked the murders and looked for possible similarities. Information and resources were shared as the investigation progressed. However after 1949 police cooperation on the case is not mentioned further, and after the early 1950s no other articles on this case exist. At the time Taxi companies came together and offered a reward of $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of the killer. However no useful tips were ever received.
Similarities:
Possibly linked murders
Patrick C Fyffe was an Officer in the United States Air Corps returning to Mather Field in Sacramento after taking leave in Texas. On July 30th 1946 Lieutenant Fyffes body was found shot to death in Traver, Ca. Police determined he may have picked up a hitchhiker somewhere near Los Angeles. Fyffe was found dead on the side of a dirt farm road having suffered 3 gun shot wounds. Ballistics tests confirm the weapon was a .38 caliber. The killer drove Fyffes car along Sequoia and Yosemite national parks before abandoning the vehicle in Mariposa, Ca. Authorities pursued the killer into the mountains many mining towns. However after a week the trail went cold. The suspect was described as being in his early 20s and between 5'8 to 6 foot. The suspect was seen in a military style uniform and may have had a scar on his face. Could this be the same killer traveling to the Bay area ?
https://www.reddit.com/r/fresno/com.../?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3
John M Anderson was a Taxi Driver in Fresno, California. On May 4th 1947 Anderson responded to 2 men who ordered a Taxi from the Chinese section of West Fresno just before midnight. It is unknown whether these two individuals were his last fare or if there had been an additional. Anderson's body was found on Church Ave 3 miles west of Fresno. He had been strangled to death. Police theorized that Anderson had been killed elsewhere and his cab driven to the location where it was found. Anderson’s wallet had been emptied, but a few dollars were found in his pocket. His case remains unsolved.
Suspects: No serious or concrete suspects were ever named. With lack of any leads and the passage of time, it would be hard to name one. However in the spirit of at least naming one possible suspect, I'd like to mention the Zodiac killer. Age ranges for the killer put his age during the ‘68 and ‘69 murders at between 25-45. If the killer fell at the older end of the range, he could have very possibly been in his late teens or early twenty's when committing these Taxi murders. Furthermore the Zodiac killed Taxi Driver Paul Stine in San Francisco on October 11th 1969. In addition there was about 7 months between the Zodiacs first attack (Herman Road Dec '68) and his second (Blue Rock Springs July '69). Similarly there was a little over 6 months between the first Cab Murder (Pinataro Nov '47) and the second (Dearth May '48). After the initial cool off period between the first murders and the second, each killer then went on to kill in much quicker succession. Z took a little more time between kills. However this could be down to maturing as he aged, advancements in Policing, or something entirely different. I understand that the odds this is associated with the zodiac are slim. However both involving Taxi drivers is a further link. Zodiac may have also chosen a .22 for the Stine murder as it is quieter then a .38 and at the time was possibly more common. However there is 20 years between the crimes, so it makes sense that a similar crime would occur whether connected or not.
Do you think any of these cases are linked ?
Do either of the additional cases seem to fit the primary four?
What makes you believe or not believe that these attacks were random ?
Are these murders the work of a serial killer ?
Any thoughts on possible suspect, related crimes, or Zodiac angel ?
Sources: San Francisco Chronicle, The Fresno Bee, The Oakland Tribune, and the Sacramento Bee. Via Newspaper.com Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s - Newspapers.com
- Ernest Pinataro was killed on November 22nd 1947 in San Francisco. Taxi driver shot in head. A .38 caliber weapon is used.
- John K Dearth was killed on May 30th 1948 in San Francisco. Taxi driver shot in head. A .38 caliber weapon is used.
- Robert Bessey was killed on June 12th 1948 in Sacramento. Taxi driver shot in head. A .38 caliber weapon is used.
- Gerald Schroyer was killed on June 16th 1948 in Oakland. Taxi driver shot in head. A .38 caliber weapon is used.
*Possible Zodiac connection
Taxi Safety and Homicide Prevention (taxi-library.org)
(Bottom of this Link talks about SF historical Taxi crime Statistics)
The Midnight Rider
Ernest A Pinataro was a driver for the Blue Bird cab company in San Francisco, California. A major hub during the second World War, San Francisco's population had ballooned to 700,000 by 1947. On Saturday November 22nd 1947 Pinataro would pick up who would inadvertently be his last fare. Two SFPD radio car patrolmen found his cab early Sunday morning at around 7am. It was parked on New Combe St, between Quint and Rankin near the Marine Corps Islais Creek Depot. As the officers approached they found Pintato in a kneeling position slumped beside the meter surrounded by blood stains. He had been shot once in the back of the head. A Marine Corps guard making his rounds reported to authorities that the cab had not been at its location at 11 pm. However a different guard assigned to the same area reported its appearance at around midnight and noted it did not move until approached by authorities the following morning. Police had been drawn to the location on New Combe street as it had been a popular dumping ground for stolen automobiles in the past. Both of Pinataro’s wallets had been emptied, however $27 dollars the assailant overlooked was later found in his shirt pocket. The meter indicated a $12 fare, however it is unknown how much was stolen from Pinataro. Early reports indicate that he was shot by a .25 caliber bullet. However it is later stated that it was most likely a .38 caliber. Ernest A Pinataro had been a cab driver for about a year. A doctor had recommended he retire from his job as a ship builder due to the strain it was putting on his health. He left behind a wife and two young daughters. He was 39 years old. No serious suspects were ever questioned.
John K Dearth was a driver for the DeSoto cab company in San Francisco, California. Just after 12:20 am on Sunday May 30th 1947, Dearth phoned De Soto dispatch from a call box at Haight and Stanyan. He was directed to 730 Clayton street to pick up a Miss Kay Spanos. Miss Spanos arrived at her home at 1345 Hayes street at around 12:45 am. Dearth’s shift was slated to end at 1am. Investigators believe Dearth was headed back downtown in order to clock out when he picked up his final passenger. At 6:15 am Dearth’s body was found on Capp St parked between 24th and 25th. He had been shot once in the back of the head by a .38 caliber bullet. Time of death was determined to be around 1 am. His pockets were empty and had been turned inside out. Police determined the assailant made away with $10 in fare receipts and a small personnel sum carried by Dearth. The Police theorized that Dearth was directed to Capp St before being shot as he pulled up to the curb. Investigators noted similarities between the Pinatario and Dearth homicides. Both men had been robbed, both shot in the back of the head, both bodies were found abandoned in a cab on weekends, both had happened near Midnight, and both were found on secluded streets. John K Dearth had been a Captain in the United States Air Corps Supply division and had served in the Pacific during World War Two. He was 38.
Robert E Bessey was a cab driver in Sacramento, California. The state's capital had risen to around 120,000 by 1947, and was located about an hour and a half drive Northeast of San Francisco. On Saturday June 12th 1947, Bessey left the cab company's dispatching stand at Fourth and K streets around 11:15 am. He was never heard from again. Bessey's body was discovered at 5:30 am on eighteenth street between E and F. The victim was found lying in the front seat of his cab with a bullet wound to his right temple. Police released that he was killed by a .38 caliber bullet. A check of the meter in Bessey's cab showed 55 cents “owing”, indicating the fare had been picked up within a one mile radius. The meter also showed that two hauls had been recorded before the last written statement in his log at 11:30 pm. Each of these trips had been short 25 cent trips. $5.65 was found in Bessey's pocket. However, a wallet and a cheap watch he had been wearing that night were missing. His driver's cap was located on the floor of the back seat of the cab. Powder burns on the victims face and cap point to Bessey having been killed at extremely close range. The location the cab was discovered was described as a quiet area shaded by palm trees next to Durant School. Police ran ballistics tests on the bullet and found it may have been fired from the same weapon that killed Dearth. Robert E Bessey was 25.
Gerald D Schroyer was a driver for the Lo-Fare cab company in Oakland, California. On June 16th 1948 Schroyer would check in with Lo-Fare dispatch at 1:30 am from Twelfth and Franklin Streets. Sometime after this last call, Schroyer would pick up his last fare. At 6:55 am opposite of 719 28th Street, Schroyer's lifeless body would be found slumped over the steering wheel. He had been shot once in the back of the head. Investigators determined his time of death was between 1:30 and 2:30 am. Schroyers wallet which he kept in his rear pocket was gone. However $18 was found in Schroyers shirt pocket. 60 cents was displayed on the Taxis fare meter. This was determined to be about how much it would cost for a ride from the phone box Schroyer used to check in at 1:30 to where his cab and body were found at 6:55am. The location where his cab was discovered was described by police as quiet and shady. Ballistics testing matched the bullet to a .38 caliber. Schroyer was 31.
San Francisco, Oakland, and Sacramento police linked the murders and looked for possible similarities. Information and resources were shared as the investigation progressed. However after 1949 police cooperation on the case is not mentioned further, and after the early 1950s no other articles on this case exist. At the time Taxi companies came together and offered a reward of $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of the killer. However no useful tips were ever received.
Similarities:
- All committed with a .38 caliber weapon with the exception of Pinataro. However despite early reports that Pinataro was killed by a .25, later articles changed the caliber to .38 when reporting the story in 1948. The accuracy of this change is unknown.
- Each homicide is committed on a Weekend except for the Schroyer murder. Each crime committed on a Weekend was carried out on a Saturday night.
- Each victim was a Cab driver
- The murders primarily take place between Midnight and 1:30 am.
- The killer failed to properly find all the money on the victim's body.
- Cab found in an isolated/quiet location.
- Murders all within the California Bay Area
- All cases are unsolved and never had a concrete lead.
Possibly linked murders
Patrick C Fyffe was an Officer in the United States Air Corps returning to Mather Field in Sacramento after taking leave in Texas. On July 30th 1946 Lieutenant Fyffes body was found shot to death in Traver, Ca. Police determined he may have picked up a hitchhiker somewhere near Los Angeles. Fyffe was found dead on the side of a dirt farm road having suffered 3 gun shot wounds. Ballistics tests confirm the weapon was a .38 caliber. The killer drove Fyffes car along Sequoia and Yosemite national parks before abandoning the vehicle in Mariposa, Ca. Authorities pursued the killer into the mountains many mining towns. However after a week the trail went cold. The suspect was described as being in his early 20s and between 5'8 to 6 foot. The suspect was seen in a military style uniform and may have had a scar on his face. Could this be the same killer traveling to the Bay area ?
https://www.reddit.com/r/fresno/com.../?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3
John M Anderson was a Taxi Driver in Fresno, California. On May 4th 1947 Anderson responded to 2 men who ordered a Taxi from the Chinese section of West Fresno just before midnight. It is unknown whether these two individuals were his last fare or if there had been an additional. Anderson's body was found on Church Ave 3 miles west of Fresno. He had been strangled to death. Police theorized that Anderson had been killed elsewhere and his cab driven to the location where it was found. Anderson’s wallet had been emptied, but a few dollars were found in his pocket. His case remains unsolved.
Suspects: No serious or concrete suspects were ever named. With lack of any leads and the passage of time, it would be hard to name one. However in the spirit of at least naming one possible suspect, I'd like to mention the Zodiac killer. Age ranges for the killer put his age during the ‘68 and ‘69 murders at between 25-45. If the killer fell at the older end of the range, he could have very possibly been in his late teens or early twenty's when committing these Taxi murders. Furthermore the Zodiac killed Taxi Driver Paul Stine in San Francisco on October 11th 1969. In addition there was about 7 months between the Zodiacs first attack (Herman Road Dec '68) and his second (Blue Rock Springs July '69). Similarly there was a little over 6 months between the first Cab Murder (Pinataro Nov '47) and the second (Dearth May '48). After the initial cool off period between the first murders and the second, each killer then went on to kill in much quicker succession. Z took a little more time between kills. However this could be down to maturing as he aged, advancements in Policing, or something entirely different. I understand that the odds this is associated with the zodiac are slim. However both involving Taxi drivers is a further link. Zodiac may have also chosen a .22 for the Stine murder as it is quieter then a .38 and at the time was possibly more common. However there is 20 years between the crimes, so it makes sense that a similar crime would occur whether connected or not.
Do you think any of these cases are linked ?
Do either of the additional cases seem to fit the primary four?
What makes you believe or not believe that these attacks were random ?
Are these murders the work of a serial killer ?
Any thoughts on possible suspect, related crimes, or Zodiac angel ?
Sources: San Francisco Chronicle, The Fresno Bee, The Oakland Tribune, and the Sacramento Bee. Via Newspaper.com Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s - Newspapers.com
