DRAMATIC ARREST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21167, 27 April 1932, Page 8

DRAMATIC ARREST.

{END OF LENGTHS HUNT. MURDER SUSPECT FOUND. STRUGGLE WITH THE POLICE. "William Gvril Moxley, the man for •whom a warrant had been issued in connection with the murder of I*rank Wilkin l eon and Dorothy Densiel, at Moorebank, near Liverpool, about 20 miles from Sydney. on April 5, was arrested in French's Forest, near Balgowlah, about eight miles from Sydney, Inst Thursday afternoon. He made a rlespeiate attempt to escape nfter he knew the .police had seen him. Police surrounded the gully in which Moxlpv was hiding, and. after a short chase, closed with him and overpowered and handcuffed him. He was taken to a house at Ashfield, where he had lived, and later to the scene of the crime. Matron Burton, of the Dalwood Babies' Home, Balgowlah, stated that a young man knocked at the door about ten minutes before noon on Thursday, and asked if he could use the telephone to communicate with the Manly police. He thought he had seen the suspect. After gome delay the Manly police station was gpoken to. and the man told the police that the suspect had a black beard of a couple of weeks growth. He was informed that the suspect's beard would be of a light colour, but he replied that he thought it would be well for the police to investigate, and he arranged to meet the police car about 300 yards from the Dalwood gates. Later he left with the police to show them the whereabouts of the suspect. Shirt Drying on a Rock. The young man told Matron Burton that he had first noticed the man, who was sitting down, clad only in trousers, with his shirt drying on a rock, a little way off the road, and later he saw him riding slowlv along the road on a. bicycle, to the front of which was tied a dirtylooking sugarbag. He averted his face when closer scrutiny was attempted, and looked back frequently to see if he was being followed. The young man hid behind a tree and watched the cyclist ride into the scrub. He then ran to the Dalwood Home, and arrived there breathless, .with his story

Police action quickly followed. Detectives Tassell and Newton and Constable Gill were sent to the scene in a fast police car. Accompanied by the informant, they drove along French's Forest Road to where the man had been seen pushing a bicycle down a narrow track into the heavy undergrowth overlooking Bantry Bay. The party left their car about half a mile from the spot where the suspect had been seen, in order that the man sought might not be alarmed by the noise of an approaching motor. Availing themselves of every shelter, the police slowly approached. There were bicycle tracks leading down toward rugged gullies that overlook Middle Harbour. The locality is covered with heavy undergrowth and tall trees, and the numerous secluded caves and rocky depressions could form •n ideal hiding-place. Man Flees Down Hillside. Rounding a huge boulder, the polico noticed a shirt and a singlet spread over the undergrowth', drying in the noonday sun. A wheel of a bicycle projected from behind another boulder. The three police cautiously approached the bicycle, with their revolvers drawn. On the far side of the rock a man was lying at full length on his back, dozing in the heat. Suddenly a twig snapped. The man leaped to his feet, saw the police, and fled down the rock-strewn hillside. The police were hot on his heels. "Stop," Dcitective Newton shouted, "We want you. Stop, or I'll shoot." The man leaped down a gully about eight feet deep, struck a rock, and stumbled and fell. Gill and Newton were behind him. Constable Gill jumped from the overhanging rock down on to Moxley, who was scrambling to his feet. In his wild plunge the constable struck his chin on the rock, hurt a wrist, and badly bruised a thigh. He pitched heavily on the wanted man, knocking him down. Moxley struggled desperately for a few moments.. Then the other police arrived, and he quietly submitted to arrest. He ;was immediately handcuffed, and was then escorted back to the police car. "I knew I was done when I saw that that, man had noticed me," he is alleged to have said on his way to the police station. "I am glad it is all over. It was too cold to sleep at night. I d like you to return the bicycle to a man at Earlwood, where I took it." Passing Over Sydney Bridge. The arrested man was gaunt and tired after his; long exposure. His face was Covered with several days' growth of heard. The hair was about an inch long. He had had plenty of food during his flight from the. police, he said. In _ a bag found in the gully were several pairs of sandshoes, shirt», and other clothing. He had some bread and a tin of jam with him, and several shillings in bis pockets. His bedraggled clothing indicated that he had passed through very rough country in eluding the police. A newspaper, opened at the page on which it was stated that a reward had been recommended foT his capture, was found lying alongside where he had been lying. His camp was near a running stream. The police say they believe that the man left the Bankstown area on the previous Friday, a day after a shot had been fired at him. Apparently he slunk through the scrub at night until he reached Enrlwood, where he obtained the hicvcle. He nonchalantly rode through Sydney up to the bridge, where he paid the toll, and crossed over to the northern side of the harbour. Then he made for French's Forest. Probably he remained theie until he was captured. It was obvious that he had spent the night near where he was found. Two of his fingers were badly cut. He had evidently tried to treat thern, but the wounds were in danger of becoming septic. Visits to the Pictures. The news that Moxley had been arrested spread rapidly, and by the time the police car arr ved with him at the Central Police Station, a large crowd had enngmgated in Central Street. After Ihe car entered the police yard, the huge iron gates were clanged together. Moxley was taken into the detective office, where he devoured ravenously, and his interrogation was commenced. According to the story told by him to the police, Moxley visited picture shows at Mosrnan during the week preceding his arrest, and actually saw pictures of himself as being the man wanted with regard to the murders. After leaving the theatres he bought provisions at various shops. On the night, before his arrest he bought some antiseptic for his wounded fingers at a chemist's shop at Mosman. Later he procured car grease, and rubbed it into his beard to darken it.