GUN BATTUE

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 September 1946, Page 5

GUN BATTUE

ESCAPED GANGSTER FIGHT WITH SYDNEY POLICE MARTINI RECAPTURED (Rec. 12.15 p.m.) SYDNEY, Sept. 23. Antonio Martini, 29, who sawed his way out of a cell at the Appeals Court on July 17, was wounded and taken prisoner early this morning, after a gun battle in North Sydney. The chase started just before midnight when police cars went to . the Taronga Park gardens and surprised Martini and an accomplice in the general office, near the safe. The police challenged and moved in, but the men made a break for it. Following a shot fired by a detective, Martini was seen to clutch his side, but the men disappeared through the trees and made off in a car which had z been left with the engine running. Cordon Round House. Nearly two hours later the police received word that Martini was at a North Sydney house. More than 100 police, armed with sub-machine-guns and revolvers, cordoned off the house. As the police moved in, a number of shots were fired. During the exchange Detective W. Hargreaves was grazed across the forehead by a bullet. The police tightened the cordon and sent for tear gas. Later reports told of Martini moving across a rooftop and then running down a lane. As the police cars moved off to intercept him, women called for help from a nearby house.

Detective-Sergeant Mijch and Constable Paton, both armed, entered a fruitshop. Martini appeared at the top of the stairs calling, “I’m cornered. Give me a fair go.” He then raised his revolver and fired. Constable Paton’s gun jammed but simultaneously Detective Mijch opened fire and hit Martini in the forehead. He then surrendered and was given medical attention at once. The wound is not regarded as serious. Martini Well Armed. On Martini the police found a bandolier containing many rounds of 45 calibre ammunition. He had dyed his blonde hair red and when in hiding wore dark glasses. He was very talkative on arrest. “I have been using a gun since I was 15 ”■ he said, “but I could not get a fair go to-night because you had me on the run all the time.” The battle was over at 2.a.m. Since his escape from the cell Martini had been sought«in all States and in New Zealand.