ESCAPE FROM GAOL

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 120, 17 November 1937, Page 13

ESCAPE FROM GAOL

THREE KIDNAPPERS

SEARCH IN NEW YORK '

(Received November 17, 9.20 a.m.)

NEW YORK, November 16.

Three members of a gang who kidnapped John O'Connell, jun., ; of Albany, New York, in 1933, escaped early this morning from a penitentiary at Syracuse, New' York, utilising a pistol which apparently had been smuggled in to force the guard to unlock the cell and escort them to the yard, where they took the keys from a second guard, who was then bound and gagged and thrown into the rear seat of his motor-car, in which he had just arrived at work. : ,

In the yard the convicts also bound and gagged three other guards and the matron.

The- convicts, John Oley/ Percy Geary, and Harold Crowley, drove from the prison for three miles into the centre of the city, where they transferred to another motor-car arid then drove off. The trussed guard extricated himself and ran to police headquarters. It was discovered that the bars of Geary's cell had previously been sawed through and stuck together with gum.

A patrol has been established on all highways in Central New York, and the alarm has been broadcast to eight States. Guards have been assigned to Mr. O'Connell's home for fear of an attempt at vengeance.

The guard emphasises that the fugi' tives are armed and dangerous.

The Department of Justice has posted an offer of a reward of 2000 dollars each for the capture of the fugitives and has instructed G-men to shoot to kill on sight.

O'Connell is politically prominent, and his kidnapping caused a sensation for years.