GANG KILLS MAN IN GETAWAY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22317, 30 April 1947, Page 5

GANG KILLS MAN IN GETAWAY

CITIZEN’S BRAVE BID TO STOP CAR BIG LONDON COMB-OUT FOR ROBBERS (11 a.m.) LONDON, April 29. The police have begun this year’s biggest man hunt for three gunmen who shot and killed a motor-cyclist who intercepted their attempt to rob a jeweller’s shop in central London, and for another gunman who fired four shots at policemen who found him lurking in a doorway of a West End gown shop. The motor-cyclist, who was later identified as Mr. Alexander de Antiquis, was shot when he slewed his machine across the path of the masked gunmen as they dashed from the jeweller’s shop, The gunmen, unable to use their car, escaped by running along Tottenham Court road and disappeared among the crowds. People yelling “Stop Thief’’ chased the gunmen, who clubbed the jeweller’s shop manager when he resisted them. Mr. de Antiquis, who was married, leaves six children.

Scotland Yard slates that £1430 in jewellery was stolen. The car slopped outside the shop and one man remained at the wheel. Two others entered the shop, produced revolvers, jumped on a counter and theratened the staff of seven. An elderly shop assistant threw a stool at the enarer gunman and the two became locked in a desperate struggle. The gunman broke away, hurled his gun at the assistant, and fled from the shop. The manager tackled the second gunman, who hit him on the head with his gun barrel. The gunman fired a shot harmlessly and fled. A boy employee rushed from the shop shouting: "Police, thieves.” The man in the car was unable to start the engine and leapt from the vehicle and ran away. The motor-cyclist. Mr. de Antiquis, hearing shots, turned his cycle as though to head off the two gunmen running from the shop. A shot rang out and Mr. de Antiquis fell with blood streaming from his head. The road was crowded. Some people dived into shop doorways and others ducked. Women screamed.