ARMED MAN IN THE HILLS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7808, 12 September 1903, Page 4

ARMED MAN IN THE HILLS.

POLICE BAFFLED AFTER AN ISXUITfMG CHASE. An exciting chase took plaoe in the mountainous region of tbt>Rhondda, Valley, South Wales, -early oa B Sunday morning recently. Just before daylight Police-Constable Taylor, while on duty ab To-nypa-ndy, heard a dog barking furiously at the rear of premises' occupied by a jew-ller. At first he j found nothing amiss, but as the dog continued barldng he ahd another con-stable named Pinkard mado a more thorough investigation. Then they saw a. thick-set man, about sft 6in in height, walking along the lane. On the approach of the constables he qnekened '■__._. pace, and on turning a corner bolted towards the liver, with Taylor following closely. After running some distance the stranger suddenly turned and, , brandishing a revolver, called out. " Stand back, or else I will blow your brains out." Simultaneously he fired two shots, which wont wide of Taylor A but- nearly hit Pinka<rd. \ The officers halted; in their pursuit, and the man jumped into the riVer and followed its course, for about two hundred yards. ; The police took up the chase 'through th* water, which was about two feet deep in places. The man increased his lead, amd, •da-shing across a railway line, flicked the officers by getting into a hiding-place behind seme, houses. For about half an hour the policemen searched' in- vain, and then a resident saw the stranger emergipg from a hen coop. Being fleet-footed he gained the hillside, and was able to again baffle his pursuers. The chase was at la.st abandoned.