MAN WITH REVOLVER

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 287, 7 November 1925, Page 9

MAN WITH REVOLVER

AUCKLAND SENSATION. ATTEMPT TO HOLD UP BANK MANAGER. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Nov. 7. Broadway, Newmarket, was the scone of a sensational incident last evening, when a masked, armed man attempted to hold up the manager of the Newmarket branch of the Auckland Savings Bank at closing time. The manager turned on his assailant, who had hailed him up in the doorway of the bank premises. The would-be bandit, at the first sign of opposition, at once fled into the street, closely pursued by the manager, Mr R. Gilmour. When he had gone about 30 yards he suddenly turned and, pointing a revolver over his shoulder, fired a shot which fortunately struck the footpath some distance away. TAKING UP THE CHASE. Meanwhile, several taxi drivers from an adjacent stand took up the chase and helped Mr Gilmour to capture and overpower the man, who struggled violently and retained his grip of the weapon for several minutes. The man had apparently made himself acquainted with the routine of the bank, as shortly before the (dosing hour he had installed himself behind one of the double doors of the outer porch. On tho approach of Mr Gilmour, who was about to close the doors for the night, the man covered the lower part of his face with a black handkerchief. PLUCKY MANAGER. When Mr Gilmour became aware of his presence, the man stepped forward and, without a word being spoken, levelled his revolver at the manager. Instead of throwing his hands up, as was apparently looked for, Mr Gilmour rushed the intruder, who immediately turned and, with Mr Cilmour’s hands upon him, rushed into the street. The shot fired by the fugitive drew the taxi men to tho scene and, during the ensuing struggle, a large crowd assembled. DESPERATE STRUGGLE. The man, now on the ground, fought desperately to retain his weapon. One of the taxidrivers endeavoured to relax the determined grip by beating the man’s wrist with a length of iron, while another attempted to force the hand open with the heel of his boot. Mr Schofield, from a garage, and Mr A. S. Henry were among the first to go to Mr Giimour’s assistance and, finally with others, succeeded ill overpowering the man. The revolver was finally wrested from the captive’s bloodstained hand and the now powerless man was handed over to Constable Whyte, of the Newmarket police, who promptly handcuffed him. ASSAILANT’S IDENTITY. When unmasked, it was discovered that the prisoner was George Joseph Marshall, aged 60 years, who, it is understood, was at one time engaged in a minor capacity in one of the bank’s establishments. A search revealed a leather handbag abandoned in the bank porch and, nearby, a black sateen bag and a pair of gloves. Tlie man’s pockets were full of short lengths of string. He is of slight stature, which made liis struggle against several powerful men appear all the more remarkable. Although lie gave bis age as 60 years, lie appears much younger, and a heavy black moustache adds to that effect.