CRIMINAL CHIEF.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 April 1926, Page 3

CRIMINAL CHIEF.

1 AND “ TIGER GIRL.” NEW YORK, March 31. If his wife, known as the “Tiger Girl,” is released unconditionally, Richard Whittemore. the American bandit and leader of otic of the biggest hold-up gangs in tho country, promises to unfold a story of crime ' that will astonish the world. Whittemore, his wife and a dopen other men, the police allege. Lave confessed to hold-ups and thefts in various cities totalling a quarter of a million sterling. They were captured here in a big raiil a couple of days ago. ft is stated that Whittemore has been identified as the participant ill three murders in three different States. AYhittemore had plans completed to carry out a jewel robbery which one of the gang estimates would have netted over £200.000. Many eases which have baffled tho police for over a year are now solved, detectives declare. He is a young man of stylish appearance and courteous manners. Police declare that AYhittemore’s system of crime is so perfect that it would he a menace to public safety to reveal it. They have at present only the outline of his system, hut they declare that now that all the directing minds of the network organisation he built up are in custody, the details will soon, he unravelled. I Whitteiii-ore is declared to lie the Raffles of America, and his short hut energetic career furnishes one of tho most astonishing chapters in tlie history of American crime. HOW ARREST WAS MADE. NEW YORK. April 2. AVith the arrest of AVilliam Unkelhaelt, of Cleveland, who was sought for his participation in two diamond robberies, amounting to £30,(100, all the members of tlie AYhittmore gang, regarded as the most desperate criminal hand caught for years, are in custody. Tho loot of the hand, which in- , eluded six men and a. woman—t he , "Tiger Girl”—is estimated at 1:200.00!) anil was obtained mostly hv sensational jewel robberies. * Trailing Unkclback, the officers forced (their way ino the apartments of Ruben Morris, and using Morris as | a “ breastpin tc ” covered Unkclback, } who had a revolver. Morris was then arrested on suspicion of aiding a recent restaurant 1 robbery in Broadway, when £1250 was stolen. .Morphine valued at £2OO Wiis found in the apartment. i