TOY PISTOL BANDIT

Hokitika Guardian, 16 January 1929, Page 7

TOY PISTOL BANDIT

■CAREER CUT SHORT BY A BULLET. NEW YORK, Nov. ‘2O. A spice of devilry wins admiration from most people, and many New Yorkers this morning sighed regretfully that Robert Preston, aged 21 is resposing in a police hospital with a bullet in bis thigh.

He came to the city a month ago with only a toy pistol in his pocket, but it secured him expensive Hotel living, numerous taxicab rides, and a wife, before he was captured. His nightly routine has been to hold up taxicab drivers at tlio point of bis fancy pistol, and obtain either their fares or a free ride to his destination. A week ago he made one daring attempt. on Broadway and sought refuge in a dance hall. There he met a charm ing American girl of Polish family, to whom he made much ardent love that before the evening was over she had promisd to marry him in the morning. OMNIBUS QUARREL.

They were married and spent the first’ few days of their honeymoon viewing New York and yesterday they decided to go to Atlantic City. In an omnibus on their way to the station they qualified and Preston got out in a fit of temper. The next minute however, lie changed his mind, and now thoroughly accustomed to commandeering taxicabs, lie hailed one, jumped in and, with his toy revolver glinting, ordered the driver to follow the omnibus.

But this driver, braver than others, yelled for help ns Ids taxicab passed a traffic policeman. Then' Broadway rang with revolver shots as do tec lives and police joined m the chase of the taxicab, the driver of which was now too terrified to halt. Tt was only when a bullet dropped the modern Dick Turpin riding in the hack seat that the young gunman was brought to bay—with nothing more dangerous in his posession than a child’s pistol. Preston had prepared to leave the eitv to-day, and a note found at the hotel where he was staying read: To take effect at 1.1.30 to-night. Goodbye. New York City. I landed here broke, and in four weeks and two days, by Hie grace of God and the taxicabs of New York. I’ve got enough to go home on cushions. (Signed) A Grateful guest of the Metropolis.