POLICE BATTLE WITH GUNMAN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22133, 23 September 1946, Page 5

POLICE BATTLE WITH GUNMAN

SYDNEY GANGSTER CAUGHT AT LAST BULLETS FLY IN MIDNIGHT CHASE 11.45 a,m.) SYDNEY, September 23. Antonio Martini, aged 29, who sawed his way out of his 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 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 been left with the engine running’. , Nearly two hours later the police received word that Martini was at a North Sydney house. More than 100 police armed with sub-machine gains 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 the 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 fruit-shop. Martini appeared at the top of the stairs, calling, “I’m cornered. Give me a fair go.”

was given medical attention at once. The wound is not regarded as serious. On Martini the police found a bandolier containing many rounds of .45 calibre ammunition. He had dyed bis blonde hair red. and when in hiding wore dark glasses. He was very talkative on his arrest. "’I have been using the 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.”

He then raised a revolver and fired. Constable Paton’s gun jammed, but simultaneously Detective - Sergeant Mijch opened fire and hit Martini in the forehead. He then surrendered and

The fight was over at 2.30 a.m. Since his escape from a cell Martini had been sought in all States of Australia and in New Zealand.