Dalhover and Shaffer hesitated when Hurd and Lacrosse asked for their names and addresses, explaining that law required recording such information during any gun sale. The spokesman, Dalhover, gave his names as Charles Harriss and Shaffer identified himself as Edward Macey, both of Warren, Ohio. Neither would list a street address which, coupled with "a certain sinister air about them," piqued Hurd's suspicions.

After the two men left, Hurd said to Lacrosse, "You know those fellows look like crooks to me. I think I should go up to the Police Department and tell them about these fellows."

Dalhover and Shaffer met up with Al Brady, who had been waiting in their car, and later headed back to Bridgeport by way of New Hampshire, where Brady wanted to view the natural rock profile known as the Old Man of the Mountains. In addition to the two pistols and clips purchased at Dakin's, the gang went back to Connecticut with three .32 automatic pistols purchased at the Rice and Miller hardware company at 28-32 Broad St. in Bangor.

Hurd's meeting with Deputy Police Chief John Mahoney went poorly. After conveying his suspicions and listing the day's gun sales with a police stenographer, he was shown the door. Although he remained on excellent terms with the local police for the rest of his life, there was no doubting they had dropped the ball during this critical first stage of the biggest crime story in local history.