A BANDIT HUNT

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 105, 6 May 1933, Page 15

A BANDIT HUNT

Bahia military police have announced that their drive against South America's most notorious bandit, Lcmpeao ("Lamppost"), scourge of ' North-eastern Brazil, has resulted in the death of sixteen of his lieutenants and the capture of eight. Ranging the plains of Bahia, Sergipe, Pernambuco, ■ and. Alagaoas. Lampeao, christened Virgolino de Oliveira, has led a gaudily dressed band that has pillaged remote plantations and villages for a decade. Previous campaigns have failed because the troops have been confined by State- boundary lines and because' Lamj peao Knows the remote country better than liis pursuers. At times, with as many as 150 men, and sometime^ with only a handful, he has appeared in Bahia, raided plantations aud escaped, only to reappear miles away in another. State. Among his lieutenants reported sliain are' several with nicknames jib. colourful as his own —Toilet Soap, Humming Bird,' Thunderbolt, Sugar, Steering Wheel,- and Sweet Coco. Lightning and Snail were among those captured .and sent to gaol. Two women were imprisoned and one was killed. Captain Xavicr da Costa, medical officer of the force which has been hunting Lampeao for five years, says the people feared .the bandit and frequently gave him more help than they did the police. Lampeao's followers dress picturesquely. Their bandoliers are covered with gold coiri,'aml they wear many rings. All are armed with rifles. . • ■ ■ . :•