BANDITS’ FIGHT

Hokitika Guardian, 26 October 1928, Page 5

BANDITS’ FIGHT

HEIDGER CAPTURED

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright).

(Received this day at 9.25. a.m.) COLOGNE, Oc.t 25.

The elusive bandit Hcidger was located, in the grounds of a suburban house. The police took no risks and shot him dead. (Received this day at 10 a.m.) COLOGNE, Oct. 25. A maid discovered the bandit Heidger hiding in a villa cellar. He fired and missed. , Her screams brought the owner who locked himself and family in a bedroom and tried to telephone the police, but Heidger cut the wires. Other signals, however, brought the police, who used bullet proof shields and threw hand grenades into the cellar. Heidger replied, wounding one, till he collapsed in a corner with eight wounds. He cried, “Had enough, I surrender!”

There is some doubt whether he succumbed to his injuries, after his removal to a police , hospital.

CAPTURE OF BANDIT,

(Received this day at 12.25. p.m.) COLOGNE, Oct. 25.

The bandit Heidger was discovered in a large villa where he contrived to remain throughout the day unnoticed, wandering from room to room ahd dodging the occupants, until a ma,id servant accidentally discovered him in the cellar when she gave the alarm. The bandit cut the telephone wires and barricaded himself in a second floor bedroom. One hundred gendarmes were soon on the spot. The owner of the villa and family were removed to safety. The police donned bullet proof clothing and began to search the house. When they found the room, they hacked a hole in the door,which was heavily barricaded with furniture. When summoned 'to surrender Heidger replied with a pistol shot. The police returned the fire through the hole. Heidger then fired on the police in the street who replied with carbines.

After he had killed a policeman, the police hurled three grenades into the room. Heidger feigned surrender -but refired, whereupon the police ouned fire' and wounded him seven times in the h,ead, chest and stomach.

A. curious feature of the case was that Heidger scribbled affectionate letters to his father, brothers,, sisters and fiancee, while behind the baiiicade.

To his father he wrote“ Time passing quickly. They are already coming. Thank you for your kindness. Help mother by kindness to beaT the terrible blow.”

He also wrote to the Public Prosecutor asking him to be lenient to the third man captured on Saturday, saying he seduced the third man into crime. The police victims include Plump Volmer. a brilliant detective, responsible for the arrest of Frank Swaboda. who murdered a New Zealander at Mulheim in 1919.