LA 144-1574 PAGE TWO PLIERS ASPECT INVESTIGATION THIS DATE AT ROMPAGE HARDWARE COMPANY, FIVE FIVE FOR TWO HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, DISCLOSES COMPANY EMPLOYEES POSITIVE DUCK-BILLED, PLIER'S IN COLOR PHOTOGRAPH IS PART OF ONE TIME SHIPMENT THEY RECEIVED OCTOBER SIXTY SIXTLY SIX. PRESENT MANAGER BELIEVES TWELVE SUCH PLERS IN SHIMPMENT. BUREAU AGENT OBTAINED THE LAST ONE FROM "BARGAIN BIN" NEAR FRONT DOOR OF STORE. IT APPEARS IDENTICAL WITH PHOTO AND BEARS SAME LABEL EXCEPT THAT STORE CODE IS FAINTLY VISIBLE IN UPPER LEFT AND UPPERT RIGHT CORNER SHOWING INVENTORY DATE TEN - SIX .- ALL PRESENT SALES FORCE HAVE NO RECOLLECTION OF ANY SALE OF THIS ITEM. MANAGEMENT ADVISED APPROXIMATELY EIGHTY FIVE - NINETY PERCENT OF BUSINESS IS CASH SALE. CREDIT INVOICES FOR ALL SALES SINCE OCTOBBER SIX TON TO PRESENT BEING CHECKED TO DETERMINE IF SUBJECT PLIERS POSSIBLEY PURCHASED ON CREDIT. ONE CREDIT ITEM REFLECTING SALE of ONE DOLLAR NINETTY EIGHT CENTS PLIER, TYPE UNKNOWN, LOCATED. PURCHASER WILL BE INTERVIEWED, REVIEW OF VOLUMINOUS CREDIT SALES CONTINUES.

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on forensic evidence, suspect identification, and related inquiries. A hardware store in Los Angeles reported receiving a shipment of pliers in October 1966, with one later found at a "Bargain Bin" near the store. The pliers matched a photograph from the investigation, though their connection to the assassination remains unclear. Interviews with former employees and checks of credit sales were conducted to trace potential purchases. A vehicle registration (1965 Dodge, California license plate ROB A83) was linked to an incident involving two individuals—a white male described as 25 years old, wearing orange pants and a white shirt, and a Black male—allegedly making threats against King in South Los Angeles. The FBI sought to identify the driver through records at Trans American Leasing and other entities. Multiple documents reference checks on credit card accounts (Diners Club, American Express) under names like John Willard and Harvey Loweyer, with some accounts tied to locations in Pennsylvania, Louisiana, and California. A laundry tag from a thermoseal machine was recovered near the crime scene, prompting inquiries into laundries using specific codes. The investigation also noted potential threats against King’s funeral in Memphis and related unrest on the West Coast.  

A blue business reply envelope from the Portable Power Company was sent to multiple locations, with some returned enclosures containing items like a 30-caliber shell casing and notes referencing "Black B-d-j-d." These materials were connected to an individual named DE LUCAS, who allegedly handled them. The documents also reference Eric Starvo Galt in Birmingham, Alabama, and credit card checks for Standard Oil companies. A complaint describes a white male suspect who allegedly killed MLK in Memphis and arrived in Los Angeles by jet, with physical descriptions and vehicle details provided. Investigations into Edward Philip Marlow, Frederick Lonzo (a former postal employee), and Harvey Edward Lohmeyer (a convicted burglar) are noted, including their backgrounds, movements, and potential ties to the assassination. The FBI sought to verify identities, compare fingerprints, and locate individuals through various agencies.  

Fragmented investigative notes from a law enforcement agency’s file focus on record-checking efforts for individuals named Harvey Lowmeyer or Lowmer, which yielded no results. A "laundry phase" investigation sought to identify entities using a suspect code via laundry companies in the Los Angeles division but found none. A vehicle description—a 1965 Dodge with California license plate ROE-183—is linked to Transamerican Leasing Company and leased to Seacrest Company. The vehicle is associated with an employee involved in construction work, though it was not located in South Central Los Angeles. Roberta Edwards and Cathleen McFride are mentioned; McFride’s medical records indicate a history of narcotic use and acute asthmatic attacks, with physical marks on her arms noted by hospital staff. Her account of events involving an unidentified individual (UNSUB) is deemed unreliable due to her addiction, leading to no further action. A separate entry details William Lohmeyer in Fontana, California, described as a white male in his late forties, observed at his residence on April 4th. The documents reference multiple dates and locations, including Los Angeles, Fontana, and Central Receiving Hospital (CRH).  

Key People  
- Roberta Edwards and Cathleen Mable McBride (sisters who reported an incident involving a white male threatening King)  
- John Willard (linked to multiple credit accounts, including Diners Club and American Express; associated with businesses in Pennsylvania, Louisiana, and California)  
- Harvey Loweyer/Lowyer (suspected rifle purchaser in Birmingham, Alabama; name variations checked for credit card records)  
- Eric Starvo Galt (suspect in Birmingham, Alabama, linked to Standard Oil Company purchases)  
- Edward Philip Marlow (convicted of attempted burglary, revoked license)  
- Frederick Lonzo (former postal employee in Ventura, California)  
- Harvey Edward Lohmeyer (convicted burglar, Chino State Prison inmate)  
- Cathleen McFride (medical records indicate narcotics use and physical marks; account deemed unreliable due to addiction)  
- William Lohmeyer (Fontana, California, described as a salesman observed at his residence on April 4th)  
- DE LUCAS (allegedly handled enclosures related to MLK's assassination)  

Key Locations  
- Los Angeles, California (hardware store, "Bargain Bin," laundries under investigation, Trans American Leasing, Central Receiving Hospital [CRH])  
- Memphis, Tennessee (site of King’s assassination on April 4, 1968; linked to suspect movements)  
- Birmingham, Alabama (linked to rifle purchase and suspect Galt)  
- Ventura, California (Lonzo's former postal employment)  
- Chino State Prison, California (Lohmeyer's incarceration)  
- Perry, Georgia and Florida (locations of returned business envelopes)  
- Fontana, California (Lohmeyer’s residence)  

Key Events  
- Investigation into pliers found at a hardware store in October 1966  
- Alleged threat against King by an unidentified white male in South Los Angeles (April 4, 1968)  
- Vehicle registration inquiry for a 1965 Dodge linked to the incident  
- Credit card checks on names John Willard and Harvey Loweyer  
- Forensic analysis of laundry tags from the crime scene  
- Monitoring of potential unrest following King’s funeral in Memphis  
- Investigation into credit card holders using the name "Willard"  
- Distribution and retrieval of blue business reply envelopes containing suspicious items  
- FBI efforts to locate Harvey Edward Lohmeyer and verify his identity  
- Complaint about a white male suspect allegedly linked to MLK's assassination  
- Credit record checks for Edward Philip Marlow and others  
- Background investigations into Frederick Lonzo and his alleged ties to anti-Negro sentiment  
- Investigation into Harvey Lowmeyer/Lowmer (no results)  
- Vehicle tracking for suspect code (laundry phase)  
- McFride’s hospitalization and medical evaluation  
- Lohmeyer’s observation at his residence  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Los Angeles, New York, Birmingham field offices  
- Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) – involved in monitoring protests and threats  
- Diners Club, American Express – credit card records checked for suspect identification  
- Trans American Leasing – vehicle registration inquiry  
- Standard Oil Company – linked to suspect Eric Starvo Galt’s purchases  
- Chino State Prison – Lohmeyer's incarceration  
- Ventura County, California – Lonzo's postal employment  
- San Diego County Sheriff's Office – Lohmeyer's background check  
- Central Receiving Hospital (CRH) – medical records for Cathleen McFride  
- Portable Power Company – sender of blue business reply envelopes

MLK Declassified Files

44-la-1574_742142_001-01-part_2_of_6.pdf

Document Summary

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