REMARKABLE MAN HUNT

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 18 January 1935, Page 4

REMARKABLE MAN HUNT

PROMPT POLICE ACTION ABOUT 300 MEN IN CORDON WOUNDING OF A CONSTABLE. A search made by the police oi sydney and adjacent districts throughout Sunday, January 0, tor men suspected of complicity in the sliootirg of Constable Arthurson, at Bargo, was one of the most remarkable man-hums that have taken place in New South Wales. It involved the prompt creation of the largest police cordon that has been made in similar circumstances in the history of the Criminal Investigation Department. Constable Arthurson was aroused from his bed to make a search foi suspected burglars, encountered two men and was shot down after a Jerce struggle His assailants disappeared into thick scrub near the town .

The shooting occurred at I.io a.m.. and within an hour of the ;eport reaching Sydney about 30 detectives and plainclothes men from the city were at Bargo, 61 miles away. Highpowered cars made a dramatic dash to Bargo at speeds, says the Sydney Morning Herald, that would earn civilian drivers the cancellation of their licenses. In che meantime all roads near Bargo were closed by the police Stations on the South Coast and as far south as Goulhurn were notified by telephone, and police wen stationed at strategic points along tie arterial and branch roads intereeptiig traffic. Jolicemen at intermediate stations were roused from their beds. THEFT OF A .MOTOR-CAB.

One of tlie suspects had left a hat a pair of spectacles, and a pair o shoes at the scene of the Mooting. These were rushed to Sydney for examination. Sydney's underworld wa;. systematically combed for the suspect and his alleged associate in oae they had evaded the police cordon ant reached the city. The mud-plastered car fount near the shooting had been stolen from Darlinghurst on Saturday night, ft wa< traced as far as Milperra, wheu two men purchased petrol early on Saturday' night, and left ear tools ir. payment. A description of the mei was obtained and circulated to all stiions and police ears by means of tclep.ones and wireless. A cordon of about 360 police surrounded the district, and police cars kept the men informed of the process made and the instructions to be followed. Motor-cyclists patrolled the roads. Trains were searched at varm;points and every car was examirjd. Wireless cars and police telephnc boxes kept detectives in constant took with the officers who were directing he search. BARBER'S DISCOVERY. Detectives were satisfied that tc men could not remain in the rou<b country into which they had run fe (shelter after the shooting, and tin. they would ultimately make for th city. Every roadway leading to Syd ncy was closed to them and with tlieii organisation functioning smoothly the police were content to wait. Two suspects were eventually arrested .mci charged with shooting with intent to murder, and with breaking and enter-

The shooting occurred soon after 1 a.m. Joseph Cu.skelly, a barber, was leaving Bargo on his way to the Nepean Dam, where he lives, when he noticed curious lights in Bourke’s store, in the main street. The lights flickered, and distorted shadows were thrown on the window blinds. He concluded that thieves with electric torches were in the store, and he ran to the home of Constable Arthurson. about 260 yards away. The constable was in bed, but lit dressed hastily, seized his own revolver, and gave Mr Cuskclly a shotgun. The two men then hurried bayk to the store. Apparently the thieves heard them, because they suddenly rushed from the store into the beam of the constable’s electric torch. One man was carrying a sack over his shoulder, and the policeman immediately grappled with him. SHOOTING OF THE CONSTABLE. There was a fiierce struggle for about a minute, in which tlie thief vainly endeavoured to break loose from his captor’s grasp. He succeeded in reaching his revolver, and appears to have fired from his coat pocket and. Constable Arthurson collapsed. The thief ran on after his two companions, who were racing down the main street. Mr Cuskellv had lost sight of the thieves as soon as the constable's torch was turned from them. His eyes rapidly grew accustomed to the darkness, however, and lie saw ' the man who had shot the constable running away. He fired after him, but apparently missed. Then, seiug that the policeman was seriously injured, lie notified the ambulance, and later the police. An examination of Constable Arthurson showed that the bullet had entered his abdomen and passed out through his side. The muzzle of the revolver was apparently pressed hard up against him.