THE BOLT & THE CHASE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1535, 3 September 1912, Page 5

THE BOLT & THE CHASE.

DUNEDINPRISONER,

REMOVES LOCK OF COURT CELL.

(By Topograph.— Press Association.) Dunedin, September 2. Some excitement was caused at the City Police Court this morning when it was discovered that ft man who was awaiting trial on six charges of forgery—Frederick William Schlutcr—had escaped. 110 had been placed in the cell of the. Police. Court with another man, and whilo other cases were being disposed of he removed the lopk from the inside of tl.'o door leading into the caretaker's yard, and let himself out into tho sheet., Constables were at once sent off in all directions in search of their quarry, but for tome time he was,nowhere to'bo seen. (.'hipf-Dc-loctivc Herbert explained the position to the magistrate (Mr: Bartholomew), who inquired if Schluter had beea, searched before he was brought to court, Tho chief-detective i«plied that he was on remand, and had therefore been, brought from gaol. "They, arc," continued "Detective Jlerbert, "very , careful in gaol about searching offenders before they ale brought to court, and it is nlwoys taken for granted, when they are brought from there, that there is no heed for further search. 1 have never known this to happen here More."

It was 11.15 a.m. when it was first dincovered that Schluter had escaped. Threequarters of an hour later ho was run to earth by Constables Hall, Howard, and Fenton, and Detective Hunt, after a long and exciting chase. A lady with a ,vory. frightened look on her face reported to the officers that a man liad scaled her fence in Cnstle Street. They advanced on a likely spot in ,the yard, where tiui-' ber was slacked, and there they sw"their ma.li, who instantly saw then) also. Next moment he. jumped the fence, and then tho real race began. Selective Hunt and Constable Howard followed him over the fence, and it was not the only fence Hint they hud to .jump, for their man took moit? than one, as he dashed along Grant Street, into Frederick Street, .along Leitli Street, down Union Street, and ink Ford Street. There ho. was captured neai the bridge, over the Water of Leith,

Meanwhile Constables Fcnton ami Hnll had commandeered two bicycles from'.' thoir owners, while Constable Howard' followed in a butcher's cart. Constable Hall was the first to close on Sclilutcr, the others coming up immediately afterwards. Schluter was "done up" at the finish, and when rawrcstcd (imply renlarked that he had done what ho wanted It do, and had liad {satisfaction, lie was handcuffed, and removed to the police station.

Schliiter afterwards explained how he took off the lock, lie had pickodup \v piece, of broken lie clip in the nas'sugo outside the cnllx, ami with this ho had removed the screws.

At 2.30 accused was brought before Mr. Bartholomew to answer the forgery charges, which were all taken together. He pleaded guilty, and was committed for sentence. He cannot be charged with escaping from legal custody as ho was not under sentence at the time. "

It may bo added that Schluter was first arrested Inst .Saturday week. Jlo. then had a leaded revolver in his possession, and when ho appeared before the Court last Monday Chief-Detective Herbert remarked that, the man had been cruising around the hills for some days. While the police had been looking for -him, Schluter had threatened to usa the revolver on seme persons, lie/hud )x>en practising (it a target for' some, time, and he had shown the detectives a coin which he had «iid lie hit at 50 vanls.